Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Gratiot State Bank, Gratiot, Wisconsin, are reportedly in circulation

Gratiot State Bank, Gratiot, Wisconsin, 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 075905457, which is assigned to Gratiot State Bank. The counterfeit items display a security feature statement embedded in the top border and along the bottom border between two padlocks. The word "REMITTER" appears in the lower-left corner. There is a telephone number not associated with the bank displayed below the bank's logo and address in the upper-left corner.

Authentic checks are yellow in color and display the words "cashier's check" below the dollar amount line. A padlock icon and a security feature statement are displayed 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:

John D. Dorshorst
President
Gratiot State Bank
P.O. Box 190
5800 Phillipps Street
Gratiot, Wisconsin 53541
Telephone: (608) 922-6422
Fax: (608) 922-6400
E-mail: gsbank@mhtc.net

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