Heartland Bank, Saint Louis, Missouri, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit official checks bearing the institution’s name are in circulation. The counterfeit items are reportedly associated with a lottery scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 281073445, which is assigned to Heartland Bank, but are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier’s checks. The counterfeit items are light blue with a dark blue top border. A security feature statement is embedded in the top border, and a padlock image is printed in the lower-right corner. The words “OFFICIAL CHECK” are printed inside of a round-cornered rectangle in the top center. The bank’s name and location are shown in the top-left corner, and “NAME OF REMITTER” appears in the lower-left corner. The bank’s name as “DRAWER” is shown below the signature line.

Authentic checks are shaded tan and pink and display ornate borders. The bank’s logo, name, post office box address and Web site are printed in the top center. The words “CASHIER’S CHECK” appear in the lower-right corner above the signature line. A padlock security symbol with security statements are centered vertically within the right border. The word “REMITTER” is shown 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:

Pamela G. Berg
BSA Officer
Heartland Bank
212 South Central Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63105
Telephone: (314) 512-8551
Fax: (314) 512-8688
E-mail: pberg@heartland-bank.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-4004, 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/2008/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Attachment (not available electronically)

NOTE: As a security precaution, the FDIC does not post to its Web site electronic images of fraudulent items or authentic checks that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Financial institutions can view images of the fraudulent items and authentic checks (marked as VOID) using the FDIC’s free, secure Web site, FDICconnect. (See more information about FDICconnect at http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2006/fil06032.html.) Printed copies of each Special Alert and its attachment(s) may also be obtained from the FDIC's Public Information Center (telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200; fax: 703-562-2296; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)