Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Carolina Federal Savings Bank, Charleston, South Carolina, are reportedly in circulation

Carolina Federal Savings Bank, Charleston, 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. Carolina Federal Savings Bank does not issue cashier's checks. It does, however, issue official checks.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 253278485, which is assigned to Carolina Federal Savings Bank. The items are markedly dissimilar to authentic official checks. The bank's name, the words "Member FDIC," and a PO Box address are in the top-left corner. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are in the top center. The word "REMITTER" is in the lower-left corner and a vertical security feature statement is along the right side.

Authentic official checks display the routing number 253278498, which is assigned to Carolina Federal Savings Bank. A security feature statement is embedded in a darkened top border. The words "OFFICIAL CHECK" are in the top center. The words "DATE" and "AMOUNT" are inside darkened rectangles. The bank's logo, name, branch locations (Charleston, SC and Mt. Pleasant, SC) and branch telephone numbers are in the top-left corner.

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:

March Michel
Security Officer
Carolina Federal Savings Bank
1509 Highway 17 North
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina 29464
Telephone: (843) 216-1301
Fax: (843) 216-8234
E-mail: mmichel@carolinafederal.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-3054, 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/2010/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