Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Valley Bank and Trust Co, Gering, Nebraska, are reportedly in circulation

Valley Bank and Trust Company, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, 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 104101876, which is assigned to Valley Bank and Trust Company. The items are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks and, when copied, have a "VOID" background. A security feature statement is embedded in a darkened top border and along the bottom border between two padlock icons.

Authentic cashier's checks are light blue and have thick dark double borders on all sides. A security feature statement is centered below the written dollar amount line.

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:

Michelle L. Maschmeier
Vice President and Cashier
Valley Bank and Trust Company
1425 10th Street
Gering, Nebraska 69341
Telephone: (308) 436-2300, extension 8237
Fax: (308) 436-6061
E-mail: mmasch@valleybankne.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