Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name 1st Equity Bank Northwest, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, are reportedly in circulation

1st Equity Bank Northwest, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, 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 071926333, which is assigned to 1st Equity Bank Northwest. The items have ornate borders and display the bank's name and location near the top-left corner. The words "DATE" and "Remitter" appear near the top-right corner. A padlock security icon appears on the right side of the items, below the written amount line. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear below the written amount line on the left side of the items. One signature line appears in the lower-right corner.

Authentic cashier's checks display a security feature statement embedded in a darkened top border. The bank's name, location and icon are displayed in the top center. The word "REMITTER" appears near the top-left corner. Two microprint signature lines appear in the lower-right corner with the statement "TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED ON CHECKS OVER $1000.00." The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the lower-right corner along with a restrictive feature statement.

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:

Sabina Filipovic
Vice President
1st Equity Bank Northwest
1330 West Dudee Road
Buffalo Grove, Illinois 60089
Telephone: (847) 253-5200
Fax: (847) 253-6601
E-mail: Sabina@1stequitybank.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