Special Alert: SLS00304

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...

First International Bank, Plano, Texas, 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 sweepstakes notification letter from www.uk-winners-sweepstakes.com, which is sent via the U.S. Postal Service.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 111915259, which is assigned to First International Bank, and are relatively similar to authentic cashier's checks. However, the following statement is embedded in the top border and displayed in dark lettering: "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A COLORED BORDER AND BACKGROUND PLUS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT WATERMARK ON THE BACK – HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW." Above the bottom border on the right side, the following statement appears: "SIGNATURE AREA CONTAINS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT CHECK WORDING." The statement is followed by six "U.S. Patent" numbers.

Authentic cashiers checks have the following statement embedded in the top border: "THIS CHECK CONTAINS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK, MICROPRINTING, FLUORESCENT FIBERS AND IS CHEMICAL REACTIVE." The statement appears in light lettering against a darker background. Authentic checks do not contain any security wording or mention of U.S. Patent numbers below the signature line. The telephone number (800) 996-5554 is shown on authentic checks.

Copies of the counterfeit item and two authentic cashiers checks (VOID) are attached for your review.

To report any items, please call toll-free (800) 996-5554 and request any of the following staff members:

• Michael S. Cotter, Senior Vice President and Cashier, Extension 2404
• Pam Kroese, Assistant Vice President and Data Processing Manager, Extension 2425
• Blanca Sanchez, Bookkeeping Supervisor, Extension 2431
• Gay Vaughn, Vice President and Internal Auditor, Extension 2440
• Tracy Welch, Assistant Cashier, Extension 2405

To report any items via mail, please write to:

First International Bank
1912 Avenue K
Plano, Texas 75074

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)

Riverside Bank of the Gulf Coast, Cape Coral, Florida, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the bank's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 067014343, which is assigned to Riverside Bank of the Gulf Coast. The counterfeit items display the bank's name in red and blue lettering in the top-center portion of the item. There are at least two versions of the counterfeit items. One version displays the wording "Cashiers Check" to the right of the bank's name; the other version does not. Digitally imprinted signatures are used on the counterfeit items. The counterfeit items contain the following security wording embedded in the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK."

Authentic cashier checks display the bank's name as a silver hologram in the top-center portion of the check, with the wording "Cashiers Check" shown to the right of the name. Authentic checks are individually signed rather than having the digital signatures.

Copies of the counterfeit item 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:

Machelle Shirk
BSA/CIP/Security Officer
Riverside Bank of the Gulf Coast
521 Del Prado Boulevard
Cape Coral, Florida 33990
Telephone: (239) 573-9000
Fax: (239) 242-2926
E-mail: info@riversidegc.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)

Bank of the West, San Francisco, California, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are missing, lost or stolen. These instruments display the routing number 121100782, which is assigned to Bank of the West. Associated check numbers range from 0038900501 through 0038901000. The checks also include the following address:

Bank of the West
Oakdale Branch
134 Maag Ave.
Oakdale, California 95361

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

Bank of the West
Corporate Communications Center
Phone: (800) 200-9977

Ralph Hull
Assistant Vice President and Senior Investigator
Phone: (209) 342-2600

Dave Conley
Vice President and Investigations Manager
Phone: (925) 927-1869

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)

Great Western Bank, Omaha, Nebraska, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

Counterfeit items bear the routing number 096016765, which is a payable-through account at Firstar Bank of Minnesota, N.A., St. Paul, Minnesota (now known as U.S. Bank, N.A., Cincinnati, Ohio). Counterfeit items are similar to authentic checks. The following statement is embedded in the top border of the counterfeit items: "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A GREEN & BLUE BORDER AND BACKGROUND PLUS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT WATERMARK ON THE BACK – HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW." Counterfeit items have ornate side borders and the following statement printed above the bottom border on right side: "SIGNATURE AREA CONTAINS A KNIGHT& FINGERPRINT CHECK WORDING."

The following words are embedded in the top margin of authentic checks: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A TRUE WATERMARK. HOLD UP TO LIGHT TO VIEW. THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT HAS A MICROPRINT SIGNATURE LINE. ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY."

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

Concerns or information regarding possible counterfeit items can be directed to:

Kimberly Boatwright
Security Officer and BSA Administrator
Great Western Bank
6015 Northwest Radial Highway.
Omaha, Nebraska 68104
Telephone: (402) 952-6027
Fax: (402) 552-1209
Email: Kimberly.boatwright@greatwesternbank.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)

First Morris Bank and Trust, Morristown, New Jersey, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the bank 's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 021205499, which is assigned to First Morris Bank and Trust. The counterfeit items also display the bank's name in the top-left corner adjacent to a bird logo and "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top-center portion. On the left side of the items, on three separate lines, are the phrases "Purchased By," "The Sum Of" and "To The Order Of," with a blank space following each phrase. Printed in the bottom-left portion of the items are the bank's name, location and a toll-free telephone number, which is not associated with the bank.

Authentic checks display "TREASURER'S CHECK" in the lower-left portion of the checks. Authentic checks have printed lines below "REMITTER" and directly following "DATE" and "PAY TO THE ORDER OF." The bank's name and location are included in the top-center portion of the checks.

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

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

Kathleen Owsiany
Executive Vice President
First Morris Bank and Trust
166 Ridgedale Avenue
Morristown, New Jersey 07960
Telephone: (973) 267-0900
Fax: (973) 267-3397
E-mail: Kathleen.owsiany@firstmorris.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)

Rainier Pacific Bank, Tacoma, 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 bear the routing number 325182946, which is assigned to Rainier Pacific Bank, but are dissimilar to authentic checks. The words "FDIC INSURED" and "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the top-center portion of the counterfeit items. The bank's main office address and a telephone number, which is not associated with the bank, appear in the top-left corner below the bank's name and logo. Two authorized signature lines appear in the lower-right corner.

Rainier Pacific Bank does not issue cashier's checks. Authentic official checks display the bank's logo and name in the upper-left corner. The bank's address, telephone numbers and Web site address appear in the upper-right corner. The words "OFFICIAL CHECK" are printed in the lower-right corner above a shaded signature block.

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

Be aware that counterfeit items can be modified to avoid detection. Any information or questions that you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Lisa Johnson, CFE
Fraud Investigator
Rainier Pacific Bank
P.O. Box 11628
Tacoma, Washington 98411-6628
Phone: (253) 926-4500 or (800) 228-2858, extension 4500
E-mail: LJohnson@rainierpac.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)

NewAlliance Bank, New Haven, Connecticut, 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 Canadian lottery scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 211170088, which is assigned to NewAlliance Bank. However, authentic official checks display the routing number 044015543, which is assigned to Huntington National Bank, Columbus, Ohio. The bank issues official checks through an account of Travelers Express Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota, held at Huntington National Bank.

The counterfeit items display the bank's name, location and a telephone number, which is not associated with the bank, in the top-center portion. The bank's name and logo are also displayed in the upper-left corner above "CASHIER'S CHECK."

Authentic checks display a logo in the top-center portion with the word "OFFICIAL" to the left and the word "CHECK" to the right of the logo. The check has a printed line following "Pay to the Order of" and to the right of the "$" sign. A printed line also appears in the upper-right corner of the check with "New Haven, CT" printed directly beneath the line.

Copies of the 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:

Thomas S. Fee
Vice President and Director of Security
NewAlliance Bank
195 Church Street
New Haven, Connecticut 06502
Telephone: (203) 789-2609
Fax: (203) 789-2739
E-mail: alert@newalliancebank.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)

United Bank & Trust, Tecumseh, Michigan, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the bank's name are in circulation in conjunction with sales through Internet auction sites.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 096016765, which is assigned to U.S. Bank, St. Paul, Minnesota. United Bank & Trust issues cashier's checks through an account held at U.S. Bank. The counterfeit items are printed on light-blue check stock with black lettering, and they display a red logo of an Indian head (profile view facing the left side). The top border has the following statement embedded: "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A COLORED BORDER AND BACKGROUND PLUS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT WATERMARK ON THE BACK-HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW."

Authentic checks are printed on light-gray check stock with black lettering and a have a burgundy logo of an Indian head (profile view facing the left side). The following statement is embedded in the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK PRINTED ON THE BACK. THE FRONT OF THE DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO-PRINT SIGNATURE LINE. ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY."

Copies of the 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:

Kathy McCrate
Vice President - Risk Management
United Bank & Trust
1205 East Chicago Boulevard
Tecumseh, Michigan 49286
Telephone: (517) 423-1667
Fax: (517) 423-5041
E-mail: KMccrate@ubat.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)

THE BANK - Oldham County, Inc., La Grange, Kentucky, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the bank's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 083902303, which is assigned to THE BANK - Oldham County, Inc., and have brown lettering on pink check stock. The items also display "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top-right corner and the address "515 South First Street" in the top-center portion of the items. The following security wording is embedded in the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A GRADUATED BACKGROUND, DARK TO LIGHT. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK."

Authentic checks include green lettering on white check stock and display "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top-center portion. The bank's name is displayed in the top left, with the P.O. Box, city and state printed between the logo and the words "CASHIER'S CHECK." Authentic checks have the following security wording displayed in the center of the top border: "SECURITY FEATURES ARE INCLUDED. DETAILS ON BACK."

Copies of the 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:

Theresa Hancock
Executive Vice President
THE BANK - Oldham County, Inc.
6317 W. Hwy 146
Crestwood, Kentucky 40014
Telephone: (502) 222-8463
Fax: (502) 243-9215
E-mail: thancock@thebankoc.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)

Sun National Bank, Vineland, New Jersey, 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 a scam that includes a letter notifying recipients of winning a cash prize in a lottery drawing. The correspondence accompanying the counterfeit items contains the letterhead of TRANS AMERICA SWEEPSTAKES, 178 St. Laurent Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec H3H 2B5. Recipients are instructed to contact (416) 848-1473, extension "1," to claim their prize.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 031206420, which is assigned to Sun National Bank, and are virtually identical to authentic cashier's checks. However, the counterfeit items include a fictitious telephone number, which is "1-877-766-2452."

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

John Dickerson
Loss Prevention
Sun National Bank
226 Landis Avenue
Vineland, New Jersey 08360
Telephone: (856) 690-4249
Fax: (856) 205-9972
E-mail: jdickerson@sunnb.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:

Additional information concerning this matter may be brought to the OCC's attention at:

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)