Counterfeit checks bearing the name First Federal of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, are reportedly in circulation

First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, 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 253271945, which is assigned to First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Charleston. The counterfeit items are similar to authentic official checks; however, they display the address "P.O. Box 113058" in the top center and a vertical security feature statement along the right side.

Authentic checks display the address "P.O. Box 118068" in the top center. A security feature statement is displayed above the bank's name, city and state in the lower-left 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:

Robert C. Bailey
Senior Vice President
First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Charleston
2440 Mall Drive
Charleston, South Carolina 29406
Telephone: (843) 529-5800
Fax: (843) 529-5449
E-mail: rbailey@firstfederal.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. ThompsonDirector
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection