Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Marion County Savings Bank, Salem, Illinois, are reportedly in circulation

Marion County Savings Bank, Salem, Illinois, 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 281271454, which is assigned to Marion County Savings Bank. The items are similar to authentic cashier's checks; however, counterfeit items are blue in color, and display a security feature statement embedded in the top border. The items use a color picture of the bank obtained from its Web site in the top center. The words "MARION COUNTY SAVINGS BANK CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the bottom-left corner.

Authentic cashier's checks are peach/salmon color, and bear a picture of the outline of the bank in the top center. The authentic checks also display a padlock icon and security feature statement within the right border.

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:

T. J. Burge
Vice President and Comptroller
Marion County Savings Bank
301 West Main Street, PO Box 98
Salem, Illinois 62881
Telephone: (618) 548-3440, extension 8027
Fax: (618) 548-2883
E-mail: tburge@marioncountysavings.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