Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Farmers State Bank, Mason City, Iowa, are reportedly in circulation

Farmers State Bank, Northwood, Iowa,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 number073918569,which is assigned to Farmers State Bank. The items display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the lower-left corner above a "PAYABLE THROUGH" statement. The words "TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED" appear below the written dollar amount line. The words "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES" appear below two signature lines in the lower-right corner of the items.

Authentic cashier's checks display the addresses of eight office locations around the bank's logo and name in the top-center area. A security feature statement appears below the written amount line, and the bank's name appears 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:

Jean Miller
Cashier
Farmers State Bank
P.O. Box 125
Joice, Iowa 50446
Telephone: (641) 588-3121
Fax: (641) 588-3621
E-mail:JeanMiller@fsbbanks.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 toalert@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 athttp://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.

For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site atwww.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2010/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visitwww.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Sandra L. ThompsonDirector
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection