Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Venture Bank, Lacey, Washington, are reportedly in circulation

Venture Bank, Lacey, Washington, 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 125107671, which is assigned to Venture Bank. A security feature statement is shown beneath the top border. The bank's logo and name are displayed in the top-left corner. The words "Cashier's Check" appear inside of a box in the top-center area.

Authentic cashier's checks are brown and display the words "Cashier's Check" on the top-right side of the check. The bank's logo, name and telephone number appear in the top-center area.

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:

Chris Knudsvig
Assistant Vice President and Internal Auditor
Venture Bank
P.O. Box 970
1495 Wilmington Drive
Dupont, Washington 98327
Telephone: (253) 284-9510 extension 7303
Fax: (253) 441-4030
E-mail: cknudsvig@venture-bank.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