First Resource Bank, Exton, Pennsylvania, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit official checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The items are reportedly associated with a mystery shopper scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 031918873, which is assigned to First Resource Bank, but are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display security feature statements embedded in darkened top and bottom borders with rounded corners. The bank's logo (the number "1"), name and address appear in the top-left corner. The words "OFFICIAL CHECK" are shown in the top portion. The word "Remitter" appears below the written dollar amount line and the words "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" are below the signature line.

First Resource Bank does not issue official checks; however, it does issue cashier's checks. Authentic cashier's checks are light grey and have squared corners. A padlock icon and vertical security feature statement are incorporated into the right border. The bank's logo (the number "1"), name and address are in the top center. The words "Cashier's Check" are shown in the top-right corner and the word "REMITTER" is 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:

Natalie M. Carrozza
Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President
First Resource Bank
101 Marchwood Road
Exton, Pennsylvania 19341
Telephone: (610) 363-9400
Fax: (610) 561-6037
E-mail: ncarrozza@firstresourcebank.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 www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2008/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Attachment (not available electronically)

NOTE: As a security precaution, the FDIC does not post to its Web site electronic images of fraudulent items or authentic checks that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Financial institutions can view images of the fraudulent items and authentic checks (marked as VOID) using the FDIC's free, secure Web site, FDICconnect. (See more information about FDICconnect at http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2006/fil06032.html.) Printed copies of each Special Alert and its attachment(s) may also be obtained from the FDIC's Public Information Center (telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200; fax: 703-562-2296; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).