Counterfeit official checks bearing the name First Federal Bank, Portsmouth, Ohio, are reportedly in circulation

First Federal Bank of Ohio, Galion, Ohio, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit official checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 241271041, which is assigned to First Federal Savings and Loan Association, Galion, Ohio. The items are markedly dissimilar to authentic checks. A security feature statement is embedded in a darkened top border with rounded corners. The words "OFFICIAL CHECK" are top-centered above the bank's name and logo. The bank's name also appears in the top-left corner, along with a street address and a telephone number, which is not associated with the bank. The written amount appears in a box that is displayed in the center of the items. One signature line appears in the lower-right corner and the word "Memo" appears in the lower-left corner.

Authentic cashier's checks are blue and display the routing number 042000314, which is assigned to Fifth Third Bank, Cincinnati, Ohio. First Federal Bank of Ohio issues its checks through an account held at Fifth Third Bank. A security feature statement appears below the top border. The bank's name, logo and office locations appear in the top-left corner. The checks display Fifth Third Bank as the "DRAWEE" in the top center area and First Federal Bank of Ohio as the "DRAWER" above two signature lines. The restrictive feature statements "VOID AFTER 90 DAYS" and "TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED OVER $5,000.00" also appear above the 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:

David B. Beach
Vice President of Operations and Treasurers
First Federal Bank of Ohio
140 North Columbus Street
Galion, Ohio 44833
Telephone: (419) 468-1518
E-mail: dave.beach@firstfederalbankofohio.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