Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Copper Star Bank are reportedly in circulation

Copper Star Bank, Scottsdale, Arizona, 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 122105799, which is assigned to Copper Star Bank. The items are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items are light blue with double-lined borders on the sides and bottom. A security feature statement is centered below the top border. The bank's name is displayed in the top-left corner, and the word "REMITTER" is displayed in the lower-left corner.

Authentic cashier's checks transition from beige to light blue and display the words "SECURITY DOCUMENT" repeated as a background. A security foil strip hologram is across the top. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are inside of a rectangle in the top-center area. The bank's name and telephone number are in the lower-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:

Lyle Muller
Vice President and Security Director
Copper Star Bank
7555 East Redfield Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
Telephone: (480) 905-4068
Fax: (480) 556-6400
E-mail: lmuller@copperstarbank.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