Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name West Plaines Bank, West Plains, Missouri, are reportedly in circulation

West Plains Bank and Trust Company, West Plains, Missouri, 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 081502530, which is assigned to West Plains Bank and Trust Company. The items are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. They are borderless and the word "Plains" in the bank name is misspelled as "Plaines."

West Plains Bank and Trust Company issues two different authentic cashier's checks: The first version of an authentic check has ornate borders and is perforated on the left side. A padlock icon and vertical security statement are embedded in the right border.

The second version of an authentic check has ornate borders and is perforated at the bottom. A heat-sensitive "THERMO GUARD" circle is under the word "DOLLARS" on the right side. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are near the top center.

Copies of a counterfeit item and two authentic checks (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:

Eric J. Gibson
Operations Officer
West Plains Bank and Trust Company
11 Court Square
West Plains, Missouri 65775
Telephone: (417) 256-2147
Fax: (417) 256-1531
E-mail: eric.gibson@westplainsbank.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