Special Alert: SLS00302

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 to ...

FDIC Consumer Call Centers in Kansas City , Missouri , and Washington , D.C. , have begun receiving a large number of complaints by consumers who received an e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC. The e-mail informs the recipient that Department of Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge has advised the FDIC to suspend all deposit insurance on the recipient's bank account due to suspected violations of the USA PATRIOT Act. The e-mail further indicates that deposit insurance will be suspended until personal identity, including bank account information, can be verified.

This e-mail was not sent by the FDIC and is a fraudulent attempt to obtain personal information from consumers. Financial institutions and consumers should NOT access the link provided within the body of the e-mail and should NOT under any circumstances provide any personal information through this media.

The FDIC is attempting to identify the source of the e-mails and disrupt the transmission. Until this is achieved, consumers are asked to report any similar attempts to obtain this information to the FDIC by sending information 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.

Distribution: All FDIC-Insured Institutions

NOTE: Paper copies of FDIC Special Alerts may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information (1-877-275-3342).

The Citizens National Bank of Bluffton, Bluffton, Ohio, has contacted the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The counterfeit items are associated with an apparent lottery scam and are accompanied by a letter purportedly sent by "Emerging Financial Group" regarding the "USA Mega Millions Jackpot." Although the letters have a Tacoma, Washington, address, they are postmarked in Canada.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 041212983, which is assigned to The Citizens National Bank of Bluffton. The counterfeit items also display a fictitious "CNB" logo enclosed within a darkened box, followed by the bank name of "CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK" in a ribbon that is centered at the top of the item. The words "DOWNTOWN" and "UPTOWN" appear on either side of the logo. The word "PURCHASER" is located in the upper-left corner, and the statement "THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS SECURITY FEATURES–SEE REVERSE" is embedded in the top border. A "Notice to Customers" is located in the center, and "Payable Through BB&T, Charleston, WV " is printed in the lower-left corner. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are printed in the lower- center portion of the item, followed by a gold seal.

There are three styles of authentic cashier's checks. All checks contain italicized text under the legal line detailing the security features and have silver foil on the check's face. The words "Original Financial Instrument," "Original Document," or simply a line printed down the left side of the check may be embedded within the foil. All checks include a perforated left side;a logo in the center, followed by the city, state and zip code of the issuing office; and the bank's Web site (www.cnbohio.com). The following city, state and zip codes are legitimate:

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:

For additional information or to verify the authenticity of the check, please contact:

Andy Foust
Assistant Vice President of Branch Operations
The Citizens National Bank of Bluffton
102 S. Main Street
Bluffton, Ohio 45817
Telephone: (419) 224-9495, extension 434
Fax: (419) 369-4296
E-mail: andyf@cnbohio.com

Additional information concerning this matter that you believe should be brought to the OCC's attention may be forwarded to:

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.

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

ViewPoint Bank, Plano, Texas, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the bank's name or its previous name, Community Credit Union, Plano, Texas , are in circulation.

The counterfeit items include the routing number 022000868, which is assigned to Citibank- New York State . ViewPoint Bank issues official checks through an Integrated Payment Systems, Inc. account held at Citibank. The counterfeit items display the bank's name or its previous name, mailing address and a toll-free telephone number in the top-left portion of the item. However, the zip code is missing a digit on the version using the name ViewPoint Bank, and the telephone numbers are not associated with the bank. The wording "Pay The Sum of" is located on a line between the telephone number and the wording "PAY TO THE ORDER OF." Also, there is a "Memo" area in the lower-left portion of the counterfeit items. The border on the right side ends near the signature line with a lock symbol displayed directly below the border.

Authentic official checks display the bank's mailing address, telephone number (972-578-5000), and web address (www.viewpointbank.com) in the top-left portion of the check. In addition, the left and right side borders continue to the bottom of the colored portion of the check, and a lock symbol appears inside the border on the right side of the check.

Copies of the counterfeit items and an authentic official check (VOID) are attached for your review.

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

Jennifer Kent
Fraud and Security Manager
ViewPoint Bank
1309 W. 15th Street
Plano, Texas 75075
Telephone: (972) 509-2003
Fax: (469) 467-1006
E-mail: Jennifer.kent@viewpointbank.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 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 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).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Dollar Bank, FSB, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the bank's name and the Parma ( Ohio ) office are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 243074385, which is assigned to Dollar Bank, FSB, and are similar to authentic checks in style. A series of letters and numbers consisting of "Y6SC2673" is displayed in the top-left corner.

Authentic cashier's checks display "ZC838542" in the top-left corner and the following security statement below the "PAY TO THE ORDER OF" line: "WHEN HELD TO THE LIGHT, IF CIRCULAR WATERMARKS ARE NOT PRESENT, DO NOT CASH."

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:

Pamela Cincel
Assistant Vice President and Security Officer
Dollar Bank, FSB
3 Gateway Center
7 North
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
Telephone: (412) 261-8193
Fax: (412) 261-5285
E-mail: pcincel609@dollarbank.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 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).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

The National Bank of Blacksburg, Blacksburg, Virginia, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name The National Bank are in circulation.

The counterfeit items bear the routing number 051403122, which is assigned to the National Bank of Blacksburg , but are dissimilar to authentic checks. The counterfeit items display a logo and the words "For a future YOU can bank on...Bank On Us! The National Bank" in the upper-left corner. The address " 100 South Main Street, Blacksburg, VA 24062 " and the word "REMITTER" are printed below the logo. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the top-center portion of the item and " Banking Center : South Main, VA" is printed in the lower-left corner above the word "MEMO." "VOID AFTER 90 DAYS" and "SIGNATURE AREA CONTAINS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT CHECK WORDING" are printed in the lower-right corner below the signature line. A description of security features is embedded in the top border.

Authentic checks display only the bank's logo, name, city and state in the upper-left corner. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are printed in the lower-left corner and "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" appears above the signature line in the lower-right corner. A padlock symbol is printed on the right side, and a description of security features is printed below the dollar amount line. Authentic checks are light grey with a gold band across the top.

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

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

Shelby M. Evans
Corporate Auditor and Compliance Officer
National Bankshares Inc.
101 Hubbard Street
Blacksburg, Virginia 24060
Phone: (540) 951-6275
FAX: (540) 951-6278
E-mail: sevans@nbbank.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 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 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).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Carolina First Bank, Greenville, South Carolina, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the bank's name are in circulation. The counterfeit items are associated with a lottery scam and are accompanied by a letter purportedly sent by the "Bonanza 2000 Australian International Lotto," which is being mailed from Canada.

The counterfeit items include the routing number 053902197, which is assigned to Carolina First Bank, and are similar to authentic checks. On the counterfeit items, "THE SOUTH | FINANCIAL GROUP" is displayed on two lines in the top-left corner and is followed by "CAROLINA FIRST BANK, A Subsidiary of The SouthFinancial Group," which has no space between the words "South" and "Financial." A toll-free telephone number, which is not associated with the bank, is shown beneath the bank address.

Authentic checks display "THE SOUTH | FINANCIAL GROUP" on two lines in the top-left corner, followed by "CAROLINA FIRST BANK, A Subsidiary of The South Financial Group," which has a space between the words "South" and "Financial." Authentic checks do not display a telephone number.

A copy of the 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:

Stefani Cudic
Corporate Investigations
The South Financial Group
104 S. Main Street
Greenville, South Carolina 29601
Telephone: (864) 421-1348
Fax: (864) 241-1565
E-mail: stefani.cudic@thesouthgroup.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 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 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 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).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

First Bank of Indiantown, Indiantown, Florida, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are missing, lost or stolen.

The serial numbers on the reported cashier's checks are: 87801 through 87850, and 88201 through 88350, for a total of 200 cashier's checks. Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

J. D. St. Clergy
Executive Vice President
First Bank of Indiantown
15588 S. W. Warfield Boulevard
Indiantown, Florida 34956
Telephone: (772) 597-2181
Fax: (772) 597-4159

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.

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Mississippi, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit money orders bearing the bank's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 065302154, which is assigned to The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia , and are very similar to authentic money orders. However, the counterfeit items have the phrase "NOT VALID OVER $10,000.00" with "10" displayed to the right of the statement in the top-center portion of the item. Security wording is embedded within the top border.

Authentic money orders display "NOT VALID OVER $1,000.00" with "01" displayed to the right of the statement. Authentic money orders do not contain security wording in the top border.

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

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

Ms. Erdis Chaney
Vice President and Cashier
The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia
521 Main Street
Philadelphia, Mississippi 39350
Telephone: (601) 656-4692, Extension 230
Fax: (601) 656-4183
E-mail: echaney@tcbphila.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 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).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) Canada has published the attached "Warning Notice" (Issue No. 70) containing the name of an entity recently brought to OSFI's attention. The entity listed is International Money Transfer (http://www.imtcard.com), which is located in Delaware, United States.

Warning Notice Issue No. 70 states that the name listed is not an authorized, federally regulated (Canadian) financial institution and may be associated with advance fee scams (see also OSFI's Warning Notice No. 23, dated February 2002). This entity, or persons purported to represent the entity, is not insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation. Any proposed transactions involving this entity 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.

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 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: http://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/app/DocRepository/1/eng/consumer/notices/Warning_Notice_70_e.pdf - PDF 92k (PDF Help)

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Liberty Bank, Middletown, Connecticut, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the name Liberty Savings Bank are in circulation. The counterfeit items are associated with a lottery scam and are accompanied by a sweepstakes notification letter with an Ontario, Canada , address.

The counterfeit items include the routing number 211170282, which is assigned to Liberty Bank. However, Liberty Bank issues official checks through an Integrated Payment Systems, Inc. account held at JP Morgan Chase Bank, NA, Denver, Colorado, and those checks display the routing number 102000979.

The counterfeit items display "LIBERTY SAVINGS BANK, Middletown, CT. , 1-866-802-4458" on three lines located in the top-center portion of the item. The toll-free telephone is not associated with the Liberty Bank. Additionally, a liberty bell logo appears in the top-left corner of the item with the words "Cashier's Check" displayed beneath the logo.

Authentic checks display "OFFICIAL CHECK" inside a box with rounded corners in the top-center portion of the check. The words "LIBERTY BANK" appear in the top-left corner and the "I" in " LIBERTY " is displayed as a torch.

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

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

Gary Mackiewicz
Security Officer and Assistant Vice President
Liberty Bank
315 Main Street
Middletown, Connecticut 06457
Telephone: (860) 638-2902
Fax: (860) 638-2901
E-mail: gmackiewicz@liberty-bank.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 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 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).