Security State Bank, Anahuac, Texas, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The counterfeit items display the routing number 113109128, which is assigned to Security State Bank.

There are two versions of counterfeit items. Neither version is similar to authentic cashier's checks in appearance. One version is printed on paper with a solid blue background. The other version has a marbled background with the following security description embedded in the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK." Both versions of counterfeit items display a square logo centered at the top next to the bank's name and address.

Authentic cashier's checks are grey and display an oval logo centered at the top next to the bank's name and address. Printed below the dollar amount line is the statement: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND, FOIL ACCENT AND A BACKSIDE AUTHENTICATION WATERMARK. ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY."

Copies of the counterfeit items and authentic checks (VOID) are attached for your review. Be aware that the appearance of counterfeit items may be modified and that additional variations are possible.

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Debbie Standley
Vice President & Cashier
Security State Bank
P.O. Box 429
Anahuac, Texas 77514-0429
Phone: (409) 267-3171
Fax: (409) 267-6749
E-mail: dstandley@ssbanahuac.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)