Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Patriot Bank, Fredericksburg, Virginia, are reportedly in circulation

Carter Bank & Trust, Martinsville, Virginia, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Patriot Bank are in circulation. Patriot Bank was consolidated into Carter Bank & Trust in December 2006. Carter Bank & Trust still honors Patriot Bank's cashier's checks.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 051402932, which is assigned to Carter Bank & Trust. The items are similar to authentic cashier's checks; however, the counterfeit items display a black border on all sides and "VOID AFTER 365 DAYS" above the signature line.

Authentic cashier's checks display "VOID AFTER 365 DAYS" centered below the written dollar amount line and "OFFICER'S SIGNATURE" below the signature line.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic cashier's 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:

Jane Ann Davis
Chief Financial Officer
Carter Bank & Trust
1300 Kings Mountain Road
Martinsville, Virginia 24112
Telephone: (276) 656-1776
Fax: (276) 656-6765
E-mail: jane.davis@bsvacorp.com

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