Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name First Freedom Bank, Lebanon, Tennessee, are reportedly in circulation

First Freedom Bank, Lebanon, Tennessee, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. First Freedom Bank does not issue cashier's checks; however, it does issue official checks.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 064109086, which is assigned to First Freedom Bank. A security feature statement is embedded in a darkened top border and along the bottom border between two padlocks. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear slightly off center at the top of the items.

Authentic checks have security feature statements embedded in darkened top and side borders with "SECURE" displayed in the top center of the border. The words "OFFICIAL CHECK" appear in the lower-left corner of the checks. The word "REMITTER" appears above "PAY TO THE ORDER OF" on the left side. An eagle emblem appears in the top center of the checks.

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:

Maliea K. Oakley
Senior Vice President
First Freedom Bank
P.O. Box 100
Lebanon, Tennessee 37088-0100
Telephone: (615) 470-1304
Fax: (615) 470-1353
Email: moakley@firstfreedombank.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