Counterfeit checks bearing the name First Federal Savings & Loan Association, Independence, Kansas, are reportedly in circulation

First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Independence, Independence, Kansas, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 301170817, which is not assigned to First Federal Savings and Loan. The items are markedly dissimilar to authentic checks. The items display the name "FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS & LOAN ASSN" and a P.O. Box address in the top-left corner. Seven arrows appear before the words "PAY ONLY" on the left side of the items. The statement "VOID AFTER 6 MONTHS" appears on the right side. The words "PAY" and "TO THE ORDER OF" appear on two separate lines. The phrase "MEMBER OF FDIC" appears centered on the lower-portion of the items.

Authentic checks display the routing number 011007092, which is assigned to the Bank of New York Mellon, Everett, Massachusetts. First Federal Savings and Loan issues checks through a payable-through account at the Bank of New York Mellon. The checks have an ornate border with a security feature statement below the top border. The bank's logo, name and locations are displayed in the top-left corner. The statement "VOID AFTER 6 MONTHS" appears in the top center of the checks. The words "PAYABLE THROUGH BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, EVERETT, MA" are displayed in the lower-left corner. The bank's name appears above the signature line in the lower-right 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:

Cindi Alexander
Staff Accountant
First Federal Savings and Loan
P.O. Box 947
Independence, Kansas 67301
Telephone: (620) 331-1660
Fax: (620) 331-1694
E-mail: cindi@firstfederalsl.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