Counterfeit expense checks bearing the name WestSide Bank, Hiram, Georgia, are reportedly in circulation

WestSide Bank, Hiram, Georgia, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit expense checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 061120822, which is assigned to WestSide Bank. The items are dissimilar to authentic expense checks. The counterfeit items display a security feature statement embedded in a darkened top border.

Authentic expense checks have a light blue background and a thin black border, and display a columned vertical "VOID" background when copied.

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:

Pat Stalfort
Compliance Officer
WestSide Bank
56 Hiram Drive
Hiram, Georgia 30141
Telephone: (770) 445-1855
Fax: (770) 445-3401
E-mail: pstalfort@westsidebank.net

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.

Sandra L. ThompsonDirector
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection