Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Union State Bank, West Salem, Wisconsin, are reportedly in circulation

Union State Bank of West Salem, West Salem, Wisconsin, 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 091803818, which is assigned to Union State Bank of West Salem. The items are 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. The words "Cashier's Check" are top-centered. The bank's logo, name, location and a toll-free telephone number, which is not associated with the bank, are in the top-left corner.

Authentic cashier's checks are blue with ornate borders on all sides. A security feature statement is displayed below the written dollar amount line. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are in the lower-left corner. A "NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS" appears in the top-left corner. The bank's logo, name, P.O. Box address and telephone number, (608) 786-0600, are in the top-center area.

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:

Steve L. Zeman
President
Union State Bank of West Salem
120 South Mill Street
West Salem, Wisconsin 54669
Telephone: (608) 786-0600
Fax: (608) 786-0603
E-mail: stevezeman@usbws.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