The First State Bank, Stockbridge, Georgia, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

There are two different versions of counterfeit items:

The first version displays a security feature statement embedded in the top and bottom borders and a padlock icon in the right border. The routing number 061101171, which is assigned to The First State Bank, is also displayed.

The second version of counterfeit items shows a security feature statement embedded in a darkened top border and along the bottom border between two padlock icons. A logo is shown in the center of the item. The routing number 044015543, which is assigned to The Huntington National Bank, Columbus, Ohio, is also displayed.

Authentic official checks display a security statement just below the top border and the routing number 044015543, which is assigned to The Huntington National Bank, Columbus, Ohio. The bank issues its official checks through a Moneygram Payment Systems, Inc. account at The Huntington National Bank.

Copies of the counterfeit items 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:

Lee Ann McCullough
Loss Prevention Officer
The First State Bank
P.O. Box 928
Stockbridge, Georgia 30281
Telephone: (770) 474-7293
Fax: (770) 474-8053
E-mail: fsbadmin1@firststateonline.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/2009/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)