Counterfeit checks bearing the name 1st American State Bank of Minnesota, Hancock, Minnesota, are reportedly in circulation

1st American State Bank of Minnesota, Hancock, Minnesota, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 091001322, which is assigned to United Banker's Bank, Bloomington, Minnesota.

There are two different versions of counterfeit items. The first version displays the Statue of Liberty on the right half of the check. The bank's name is shown as "1st American State Bank of Minne" above a mailing address in the top-left corner. The name "United Bankers Bank" and an address are shown to the right of the torch.

The second version shows the bank's name as "1st American State Bank of Minnesot" and a mailing address in the top-left corner. "United Bankers Bank" and its mailing address are shown above the "Memo" line in the lower-left corner.

Authentic checks display the routing number 091205102 and are referred to as BANK MONEY ORDERS, which is printed in the top-center area. The bank's name is displayed beneath "BANK MONEY ORDER" in the top-center portion of the check.

Copies of the counterfeit items and an authentic bank money order (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:

Warren J. Smith
Chief Financial Officer
1st American State Bank of Minnesota
P.O. Box 8
Hancock, Minnesota 56244
Telephone: (320) 392-5278
Fax: (320) 392-5330
E-mail: warren@1stamstatebank.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/2009/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. Thompson
Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection