Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Palmetto State Bank, Hampton, South Carolina, are reportedly in circulation

Palmetto State Bank, Hampton, South Carolina, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The counterfeit items are associated with a mystery shopping scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 053202596, which is assigned to Palmetto State Bank. The items, which bear no resemblance to authentic money orders, display "CASHIER'S CHECK" encapsulated within a box centered below the top border. Directly below the box is a rectangular area with six arrows pointing to the right. A toll-free telephone number, which is not associated with the institution, is shown in the top-left corner. The following statements are embedded within the top border: "THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT IS PRINTED GREEN. THE BACK CONTAINS A SIMULATED WATERMARK."

Palmetto State Bank issues bank money orders rather than cashier's checks. Authentic money orders display "BANK MONEY ORDER" inside of a rectangle in the top-center portion. The money orders have an ornate-patterned left border.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic money order 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:

John Peters
Vice President
Palmetto State Bank
601 First Street West
Hampton, South Carolina 29924
Telephone: (803) 943-2671
Fax: (803) 943-5634
E-mail: jpeters@palmettostatebank.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 http://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