I listed the link below for the FDIC site where you can enter the bank's name and check for their insurance status. You may ask the bank for their FDIC insurance certificate number. Another site you may want to consult is Bauer Financial which Ranks bank safety. I provided the link below.

On the FDIC site you will find a phone number which you can call and they seem to have good customer service, unless they are swamped with calls. As you know sometime a rate may be too good to be true. That is a case that you should look into. There are investments out there paying higher rates that are not FDIC insured.Even reputable firms like GE capital have such instruments but they tell you that they are not FDIC insured.

I hope the information helped.

http://www.fdic.gov/deposit/

http://www.bauerfinancial.com/home.html