Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Clear Lake Bank & Trust Company, Clear Lake, Iowa, are reportedly in circulation

Clear Lake Bank & Trust Company, Clear Lake, Iowa, 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 073904036, which is assigned to Clear Lake Bank & Trust Company. The items are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks and have an interwoven octagon background and a three-sided ornate border. A security feature statement is displayed below the top border and a padlock icon and security feature statement are in the top-right corner. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in a shadow box in the top center.

Authentic checks display dark top and bottom borders and a security feature statement within the top border. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are shown vertically along the left side of the check. "Account is Positive Pay Protected" and "Check Verification: (641) 355-2217" are tiered and centered in the bottom portion. An elongated hexagon containing the numerical dollar amount is shown near the middle of the check.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. Please 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:

Matt Ritter
Vice President and Cashier
Clear Lake Bank & Trust Company
322 Main Avenue
P.O. Box 8
Clear Lake, Iowa 50428
Telephone: (641) 355-2203
Fax: (641) 355-2245
E-mail: mritter@clearlakebank.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