Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name First Farmers & Merchants Bank are reportedly in circulation

First Farmers and Merchants Bank, Columbia, Tennessee, 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 064108113, which is assigned to First Farmers and Merchants Bank. The items are similar to authentic cashier's checks; however, they display a security feature statement embedded within a darkened top border.

Authentic checks are green and display a padlock icon and security statement embedded vertically in the right border.

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:

Glynis D. Smith
Security Officer
First Farmers and Merchants Bank
816 South Garden Street
Columbia, Tennessee 38401
Telephone: (931) 380-8273
Fax: (931) 490-5923
E-mail: glynis.smith@fandmbank.com

Alternate contact:

Marie McGrew
Internal Control Officer
First Farmers and Merchants Bank
816 South Garden Street
Columbia, Tennessee 38401
Telephone: (931) 380-8230
Fax: (931) 490-5923
E-mail: marie.mcgrew@fandmbank.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