Plains State Bank, Plains, Texas, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit money orders bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 111323207, which is assigned to Plains State Bank. The items are dissimilar to authentic money orders. The items have a blue marbled background and a six-digit money order number. The bank's logo, name and an incorrect postal number address, "P.O. BOX 519, PLAINS, TEXAS 79335," are in the lower-left corner. On the reverse side of the item, the words "CHECK PROTECT" are printed in yellow in a diamond pattern.

Authentic money orders are made of light blue safety paper and have scroll double-lined borders. The money order number is five-digits. The bank's logo, name and postal address, "P.O. BOX 549, PLAINS, TEXAS 79355," are in the lower-left corner. On the reverse side of the item, a security statement is printed in blue ink and endorsement lines that contain the micro printed words "ORIGINAL DOCUMENT" are shown in white script lettering.

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:

Larry K. Mason
President
Plains State Bank
601 9th Street
P.O. Box 549
Plains, Texas 79355
Telephone: (806) 456-2022
Fax: (806) 456-2052
E-mail: lkmason@psbplains.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)