Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Heritage Community Bank, Hartsville, South Carolina, are reportedly in circulation

Heritage Community Bank, Hartsville, South Carolina, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 053207973, which is assigned to Heritage Community Bank. The items also display a security feature statement along the bottom border between two padlocks. A toll-free telephone number, which is not associated with the bank, is shown below the bank's name and location in the top-center area.

Heritage Community Bank does not issue cashier's checks; however, it does issue official checks. Authentic official checks display the bank's logo and name in the top center and the words "Official Check" in the top-right corner.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. Be aware that the appearance of counterfeit items can be modified and that additional variations may be presented.

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Shannon R. Morrison
Vice President and Cashier
P.O. Box 2255
Hartsville, South Carolina 29551
Telephone: (843) 383-4333
Fax: (843) 332-3218
E-mail: smorrison@heritageoline.biz

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other fraudulent activity may be forwarded to the FDIC's Cyber-Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-4004, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Questions related to federal deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.

For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's website at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2008/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Sandra L. ThompsonDirector
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection