Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name MERCO Credit Union, Merced, California, are reportedly in circulation

ERCO Credit Union, Merced, California, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. Merco Credit Union does not issue cashier's checks; however, it does issue official checks.

The counterfeit items display a fictitious routing number, 321173386. The items also display a security feature statement embedded in a darkened top border and along the bottom border between two padlock icons. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear near the top center along with a purchase statement. The statement "Void after 90 days" appears below the written dollar amount line.

Authentic official checks display the routing number 092005411, which is assigned to First Interstate Bank, Helena, Montana. MERCO Credit Union issues its official checks through a payable-through account held at First Interstate Bank. The checks display a security feature statement below the top border. The words "OFFICIAL CHECK" appear in the top-right 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:

David W. Ness
Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance and Information Systems
MERCO Credit Union
1911 M Street
Merced, California 95340
Telephone: (209) 354-4280
Fax: (209) 354-4005
E-mail: cfo@merco.org

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