Peoples State Bank, Lake City, Florida, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The items are reportedly associated with a sweepstakes award scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 063114425, which is assigned to Peoples State Bank. The items are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. They are pink and blue in color. The following security feature statement is embedded in the top border in blue print: "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A RED & BLUE BORDER AND BACKGROUND PLUS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT WATERMARK ON THE BACK – HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW." The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are in the top center. A logo, the bank's name, the phrase "Founded 1925," the bank's address and a telephone number ("1-450-675-6532"), which is not associated with the bank, are in the top-left corner. The following security feature statement appears below the signature area: "SIGNATURE AREA CONTAINS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT CHECK WORDING." The back of the counterfeit item has an endorsement area containing a pink knight icon, the wording "FINGERPRINT SECURITY," and a pink heat sensor with the words "PAPER CERTIFIED" at the top and bottom.

Authentic cashier's checks have a scroll top border with a centered elongated foil hologram containing the words "ORIGINAL FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT." The bank's logo (the bank's name inside a house), telephone number ("386-754-0002") and address are in the top-center area. The following security feature statement appears below the written dollar amount line: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO-PRINT SIGNATURE LINE, WATERMARK AND A THERMOCHROMIC ICON; ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY." The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are shown in the lower-left corner. A security padlock icon and statement are shown to the right of "DOLLARS" at the end of the written dollar amount line.

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:

Cyndra Schwab
Internal Auditor/Compliance Officer
Peoples State Bank
350 S.W. Main Boulevard
Lake City, Florida 32025
Telephone: (386) 487-1357
Fax: (386) 754-0919
E-mail: cschwab@psb.biz

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)