Special Alert: SLS00292

Dear Associates:

This Bulletin is to advise you, in accordance with Stewart Information Services Corporation's (“SISCO”) Anti-Fraud Plan, that the FDIC has issued the above-referenced Special Alert Notices. In order to view these and other Special Alert Notices issued by the FDIC, please refer t...

Special Alerts

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) of Canada has published the attached "Warning Notice" (Issue No. 69), which contains the names of three entities recently brought to OSFI's attention.

Warning Notice No. 69 states that the names listed are not authorized federally regulated financial institutions (Canadian) and may be involved in advance fee scams (see also OSFI's Warning Notice No. 23, dated February 2002). The names listed are Global Financial Services, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and New York, New York (http://www.globalfinancialservices.org ); Foundland Financial, Oceanside, California (http://www.foundlandfinancial.com ), which may be associated with Global Financial Services; and 1st Line Financial Group, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (http://www.1stlinefinancialgroup.com ). These entities are reportedly operating in Canada and may be violating provisions of Canada 's Bank Act or other Canadian financial institution regulations. These entities may also be conducting unauthorized banking transactions in the United States . Any proposed transactions involving these entities should be viewed with extreme caution.

Each "Warning Notice," beginning with Issue No. 1 through OSFI's latest "Warning Notice," may be found at: http://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/osfi/index_e.aspx?ArticleID=166 .

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. Information 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 http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2006/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Attachment: Can be found at http://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/app/DocRepository/1/eng/consumer/notices/Warning_Notice_69_e.pdf 95k (PDF Help)

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Special Alerts

Schertz Bank & Trust, Schertz, Texas, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the name and location of Northridge Bank, San Antonio, Texas, are in circulation. However, the counterfeit items display the routing number 114916103, which is assigned to Schertz Bank & Trust.

The counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic checks in style. The counterfeit items display a logo consisting of a "1" superimposed on a map of the United States , encircled by a globe. "Northridge Bank" is printed to the right of the logo.

Authentic cashier's checks display the wording "CASHIER'S CHECK" in a large font in the lower- left portion of the check. The checks also display a logo of an eagle to the left of the bank's name, telephone number and address in the top center.

A copy of a counterfeit item and an authentic cashier's check (VOID) are attached for your review.

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Wendy Griffin
Cashier
Schertz Bank & Trust
519 Main Street
P.O. Box 800
Schertz, Texas 78154-0800
Telephone: (210) 945-7400, extension 230
Fax: (210) 945-7424
E-mail: wgriffin@schertzbank.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. Information 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/2006/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 online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks – commercial and savings). Printed copies of the 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).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Special Alerts

Peoples National Bank, Hallstead, Pennsylvania, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 031207607, which is assigned to the New Jersey branch of PNC Bank, National Association, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cashier's checks issued by Peoples National Bank bear the routing number 031311807. The counterfeit items are reportedly being sent from Canada.

The counterfeit items display the wording "Cashier's Check," using both upper- and lower-case lettering, in the top center. The items also display an actual bank office location in the bottom-left corner. A toll-free telephone number, which is not associated with the bank, is displayed in the bottom-left corner. Above the single signature line appears the wording "CHECKS OVER $10,000.00 MUST HAVE 2 SIGNATURES."

Authentic cashier's checks display the wording "CASHIER'S CHECK," using all capital lettering, in the top center. The checks also display a bank logo consisting of the bank's initials with the bank name and mailing address to the right of the logo. A telephone number is not displayed on authentic checks.

A copy of a counterfeit item and a copy of an authentic cashier's check (VOID) are attached for your review.

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Stephen Lawrenson
Branch Administration/ Security
Peoples National Bank
50 Main Street
Hallstead, Pennsylvania 18822
Telephone: (570) 879-2175
Fax: (570) 879-4372
E-mail: stevel@peoplesnatbank.com

To report this scam or any other scam based in or mailed from Canada , please contact Phonebusters, which is a joint partnership between the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Phonebusters is interested in receiving copies of scam letters, particularly those involving Canadian mailing addresses or telephone numbers. Records relating to the payment of advance fees should also be forwarded to Phonebusters. This intelligence information is used to assist in the strategic targeting of would-be fraudsters. Scam letters should be forwarded to the Phonebusters National Call Center (PNCC) as follows:

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. Information 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/2006/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 online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks – commercial and savings). Printed copies of the 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).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Special Alerts

Washington Business Bank, Olympia, Washington, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 125108670, which is assigned to Washington Business Bank, but are dissimilar in appearance to authentic checks. The counterfeit items display the bank's logo, address and a telephone number, not associated with the bank, in the top-left corner. "CASHIER'S CHECK" is printed in the top center below a fabricated "FDIC Insured" logo. The counterfeit items include two "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" lines in the lower- right corner and the following statement in the top border: "THE DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK."

Authentic checks display the bank's logo, name, address and telephone number in the top-left corner. "CASHIER'S CHECK" is printed in the top-right corner to the right of an FDIC symbol. The checks also display one authorized signature line in the lower-right corner, a "Remitter" line in the lower-left corner, and large watermark of the bank's logo in the center. Authentic checks are printed on white paper with blue print.

A copy of a counterfeit item and a copy of an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review.

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Patricia Steingruber or Martin Hersrud
Washington Business Bank
2607 Martin Way East, Suite 211
Olympia, Washington 98506
Phone: (360) 754-1945
Fax: (360) 456-0252
E-mail: Customercare@WashingtonBusinessBank.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. Information 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/2006/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 online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks – commercial and savings). Printed copies of the 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).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Special Alerts

Washington Business Bank, Olympia, Washington, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 125108670, which is assigned to Washington Business Bank, but are dissimilar in appearance to authentic checks. The counterfeit items display the bank's logo, address and a telephone number, not associated with the bank, in the top-left corner. "CASHIER'S CHECK" is printed in the top center below a fabricated "FDIC Insured" logo. The counterfeit items include two "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" lines in the lower- right corner and the following statement in the top border: "THE DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK."

Authentic checks display the bank's logo, name, address and telephone number in the top-left corner. "CASHIER'S CHECK" is printed in the top-right corner to the right of an FDIC symbol. The checks also display one authorized signature line in the lower-right corner, a "Remitter" line in the lower-left corner, and large watermark of the bank's logo in the center. Authentic checks are printed on white paper with blue print.

A copy of a counterfeit item and a copy of an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review.

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Patricia Steingruber or Martin Hersrud
Washington Business Bank
2607 Martin Way East, Suite 211
Olympia, Washington 98506
Phone: (360) 754-1945
Fax: (360) 456-0252
E-mail: Customercare@WashingtonBusinessBank.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. Information 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/2006/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 online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks – commercial and savings). Printed copies of the 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).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Special Alerts

The Delaware County Bank and Trust Company, Lewis Center, Ohio, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 051900353, which is assigned to Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T), and are similar in appearance to authentic checks. The following statement is printed in the top border of the counterfeit items: "THE DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK."

Authentic checks have the following statement printed below the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK PRINTED ON THE BACK. THE FRONT OF THE DOCUMENT HAS A MICROPRINT SIGNATURE LINE. ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY." Authentic checks display "THE BANK" logo in the top-left corner and are printed on light blue paper with dark ornate borders on all sides.

A copy of a counterfeit item and a copy of an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review.

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Jim Nelson
Security Officer
The Delaware County Bank &Trust Company
PO Box 1001
Lewis Center, OH 43035
Phone: (740) 657-7312
Fax: (740) 657-7301

Alternate contact:
Finance Department
Delaware County Bank and Trust Company
110 Riverbend Avenue
Lewis Center, OH 43035
Telephone: (740) 657-7000

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. Information 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 Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2006/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 online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks – commercial and savings). Printed copies of the 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).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)