Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name SouthCity Bank, Vestavia Hills, Alabama, are reportedly in circulation

SouthCity Bank, Vestavia Hills, 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 062206651, which is assigned to SouthCity Bank. The items display ornate top and side borders. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear inside a rectangle embedded and centered in the top border. The security statement "HOLD DOCUMENT UP TO THE LIGHT TO VIEW TRUE WATERMARK" is shown on each side of the rectangle. The bank's name, "Issued by," "Remitter" and a toll-free number, not associated with bank, are located in the lower-left corner.

Authentic checks have a light blue background and dark blue borders. Centered in the top border is the following feature security statement: "ORIGINAL DOCUMENT HAS A MICROPRINTED BORDER. SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR COMPLETE SECURITY FEATURES." The bank's name, address, "Remitter" and "Memo" appear in the top-left corner. A security padlock icon and statement appear on the right side. The check designation "CASHIER'S CHECK," date and dollar amounts are computer-generated.

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:

Russell Bailey
Senior Vice President of Operations
SouthCity Bank
905 Montgomery Highway, Suite 101
Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35216
Telephone: (205) 822-5500
Fax: (205) 822-5540
E-mail: rbailey@southcitybank.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