North Star Bank, Roseville, Minnesota, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the bank's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 096000959, which is assigned to North Star Bank, and are similar to authentic checks. The bank's main office and branch office addresses, and telephone numbers, not associated with the bank, appear in the top-center portion of the counterfeit items below the bank's logo and name. A padlock symbol appears to the right of the signature line in the lower-right corner.

Authentic checks display the words "Member FDIC" and the bank's Web address below the bank's logo, name, two office addresses and telephone numbers in the top-center portion of the checks. Authentic checks have ornate borders. A padlock symbol and security feature statement are embedded in the right border.

Copies of the 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 or questions that you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Audrey Bentz
BSA/Security Officer
North Star Bank
4661 Hwy 61
White Bear Lake, Minnesota 55110
Phone: (651) 762-7321
Fax: (651) 489-9541
E-mail: abentz@northstarbank.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. Information 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/2006/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)