Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Bank of Stockton are reportedly in circulation

Bank of Stockton, Stockton, California, 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 121101037, which is assigned to the Bank of Stockton. The items are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. They display a security feature statement embedded in a darkened top border and along the bottom border between two padlocks. The bank's name and P.O. Box address appear in the top-left corner. The written amount line appears above the "Pay to the Order of" line.

Authentic checks are light blue with a screened image background and an ornate scroll border. The words "Cashier's Check" are written in a script font in the top center along with a large serrated blue and gold seal. The bank's name and location are also in the top center. A "RE" line 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:

Sue Feston
Assistant Vice President and Customer Service Officer
Bank of Stockton
P.O. Box 1110
Stockton, California 95201
Telephone: (209) 929-1204
Fax: (209) 929-1564
E-mail: sfeston@bankofstockton.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