Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Citizens State Bank-Midwest, Cavalier, North Dakota, are reportedly in circulation

Citizens State Bank - Midwest, Cavalier, North Dakota, 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 091217226, which is assigned to Citizens State Bank-Midwest; however, it is not the routing number used in the issuance of cashier's checks. The counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic checks. The items are blue with double-lined borders. A security feature statement is centered below the top border and a padlock icon is shown along the right side. The restrictive statement "VOID OVER $2,320.00" is centered below the written dollar amount line. On the reverse side, six watermarks are imaged as a fingerprint encircled by "PAPER CERTIFIED."

Authentic cashier's checks display the routing number 091306645, which is assigned to Citizens State Bank-Midwest. A padlock icon and vertical security feature statement are along the right border. The checks also display a micro print signature line, chemically sensitive paper and an authentic watermark. "REMITTER" is in the top-left 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:

Linda J. Busse
Cashier
Citizens State Bank – Midwest
307 Main Street West
P.O. Box 30
Cavalier, North Dakota 58220-0030
Telephone: (701) 265-8484, extension 10
Fax: (701) 265-8480
E-mail: csblinda@polarcomm.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