anti-fraud from usa -

Special Alert

SA-29-2007

January 11, 2007

TO: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)

SUBJECT: Counterfeit Bank Checks

Summary: Counterfeit checks bearing the name Lake Area Bank, Lindstrom, Minnesota, are reportedly in circulation.

Lake Area Bank, Lindstrom, Minnesota, 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 091912521, which is assigned to Lake Area Bank. The items are dissimilar to the authentic checks and display the bank's name, address and a telephone number, not associated with the bank, in the upper-left corner. The counterfeit items are printed on marbled green paper and have security feature descriptions embedded in the top and bottom borders.

Authentic checks display the bank's logo, name and slogan in the top-left corner, and the bank's address at the top center. Authentic checks are blue, and the words "EXPENSE CHECK" or "INTEREST CHECK" appear above the signature line on the lower-right side.

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:

Chad Lindgren

Security Officer

Lake Area Bank

P.O. Box 743

Lindstrom, Minnesota 55045

Phone Number: (651) 464-9001

Fax Number: (651) 464-9006

E-mail: clindgren@lakeareabank.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 www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.

For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2007/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Sandra L. Thompson

Director

Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

Comment #1 Julius (2) from Costa Rica -

It's good that forums like this educates and keeps people aware of frauds and counterfeits ... it also gives crooks idea on what areas they should improve to cover their criminal acts.

• Costa Rica Property Sales and Investments

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