Counterfeit checks bearing the name Citizens Community Federal, Altoona, Wisconsin, are reportedly in circulation

Citizens Community Federal, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 071004501, which is assigned to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. The items are similar to authentic checks; however, the counterfeit items are light tan and display a security feature statement along the bottom border between two padlock icons. A box for the numerical amount appears next to the payee line. The words "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" and "VOID OVER" appear below the signature line in the lower-right corner with a padlock icon.

Authentic checks are light blue. The statement "VOID IF NOT CASHED IN 120 DAYS" appears in the lower-right corner above the signature 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:

Becky L. Johnson
Controller
Citizens Community Federal
2174 EastRidge Center
Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701
Telephone: (715) 836-9994, extension 120
Fax: (715) 831-4299
Email: blj@citizenscommunityfederal.net

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