Counterfeit bank checks bearing the name American Savings FSB, Munster, Indiana, are reportedly in circulation

American Savings, FSB, Munster, Indiana, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit bank checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 271974017, which is assigned to American Savings, FSB. The items are very similar to authentic bank checks; however, the counterfeit items have double borders on all sides with squared corners.

Authentic bank checks have borders with rounded corners and thicker dark blue lines for the top and bottom borders. The bank's telephone number, (219) 836-5870, is below the bank's name and location in the top-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:

Ginger Watts
Assistant Vice President
American Savings, FSB
8230 Hohman Avenue
Munster, Indiana 46231-0198
Telephone: (219) 836-5870
Fax: (219) 836-5883
E-mail: ginger@ambfinancial.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-3054, 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