Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Community Spirit Bank, Red Bay, Alabama, are reportedly in circulation

Community Spirit Bank, Red Bay, Alabama, 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 084206105, which is assigned to Spirit Bank. A security feature statement is embedded in a darkened top border and along the bottom border between two padlocks. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the top center and the bank's logo, name, location and a toll-free telephone number, not related to the bank, are in the top-left corner. "RE" appears in the lower-left corner and "VOID" is displayed along the bottom when copied. The items also have two signature lines preceded by "PER."

Authentic cashier's checks display the routing number 062203476, which is assigned to Community Spirit Bank. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the lower-left corner below the written dollar amount line. The bank's name, an indemnity bond statement and logo are in the top center. Authentic checks have one signature line and "PURCHASED BY" appears 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:

Evelyn Davis
Bank Secrecy Act Officer
Community Spirit Bank
200 4th Avenue, Southwest
P.O. Box 449
Red Bay, Alabama 35582
Telephone: (256) 356-5650
Fax: (256) 356-5635
E-mail: evelynda@communityspiritbank.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