Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Commercial Bank, Mason, Texas, are reportedly in circulation

The Commercial Bank, Mason, Texas, 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 114905499, which is assigned to The Commercial Bank. The items are markedly dissimilar to authentic checks. A security feature statement is embedded within a darkened top border. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" along with "122 BIG HORN ROAD, SAN ANTONIO, UTAH 76856" are displayed toward the top-left corner. The bank's name, address, and a telephone number ("915-347-6324"), which is not associated with the bank, appear in the top middle of the check. A "Memo" line appears in the lower-left corner and one signature line appears in the lower-right corner.

Authentic checks are yellow and have ornate borders with a security padlock icon embedded in the right border. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the lower-left corner below a "NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS" statement. The bank's logo (a steer's head) appears to the left of the bank's name, address and telephone number in the top center. The phrase "MEMBER F.D.I.C" is below the bank's address and telephone number. A "REMITTER" line appears in the top-left corner and the title "ASST. CASHIER-VICE PRESIDENT" appears below the first of two signature lines 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:

Brenda Comer
Vice President, Compliance
The Commercial Bank
100 Moody Street
Mason, Texas 76856
Telephone: (325) 347-6324
Fax: (325) 347-5960
E-mail: bcomer@tcbmason.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/2010/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