Special Alert: SLS00325

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 ...

Placer Sierra Bank, Auburn, California, 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 321170020, which is assigned to Placer Sierra Bank, and are similar to authentic cashier's checks. However, the counterfeit items display the word "Remitter" directly beneath the logo on the left side. In addition, the following security statement is embedded within the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK."

Authentic checks have the following security statement embedded within the top border: "DO NOT CASH UNLESS YOU CAN VERIFY ADVANCED SECURITY FEATURES." In addition, the following security statement is embedded within the bottom border: "AUTHENTICITY INFORMATION ON REVERSE."

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:

Diana Strade
Senior Vice President
Placer Sierra Bank
949 Lincoln Way
Auburn, California 95603
Telephone: 530 888-1662
Fax: 530 887-5470
E-mail: straded@placersierrabank.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 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has become aware of fraudulent e-mails appearing to be from the FDIC. The e-mails ask recipients to click on a hyperlink titled "Take the Corrective Action – Implement the LinkBank System." When accessed, the hyperlink takes the individual to a "spoofed" FDIC Web page. At that point, the individual is directed to provide online banking information, including bank name, username, and password.

The fraudulent e-mails appear in "memo format" and are purportedly from "Russell A. Rau, Assistant Inspector General for Audits." The e-mails include a "Subject" line that states: "Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection's Risk-Focused Compliance Examination Process for [recipient's name inserted] (Report No. 05-038)."

The FDIC does not directly contact consumers in this manner, nor does the FDIC request personal financial information from consumers. Financial institutions and consumers should NOT access the link provided within the body of these e-mails and should NOT, under any circumstances, provide any personal financial information through this medium.

Financial institutions and consumers should be aware that other similar e-mails may be sent that falsely claim to be from the FDIC.

The FDIC is attempting to identify the source of the fraudulent e-mails and disrupt the transmission. Until this is achieved, consumers and financial institutions should notify the FDIC at alert@fdic.gov of any similar attempts to obtain personal financial information.

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: All FDIC-Insured Institutions

Gorham Savings Bank, Gorham, Maine, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit official checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 211274573, which is assigned to Gorham Savings Bank, and are similar to authentic checks. However, the counterfeit items contain the following statement embedded within the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND HIGH RESOLUTION BORDER. THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS DOCUMENT HAS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK."

Authentic checks display the following statement embedded in small print within the top border: "THIS INSTRUMENT HAS MICRO PRINTING, BLEEDING RED CONSECUTIVE NUMBERING."

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. Be aware that the appearance of counterfeit items may be modified and that additional variations are possible.

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

Kate Carney
Security Officer
Gorham Savings Bank
10 Wentworth Drive
Gorham, Maine 04038
Telephone: (207) 839-5209, extension 1542
Fax: (207) 839-4233
E-mail: ccarney@gorhamsavingsbank.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)

FirstBank of Parker (also known as 1STBank), Parker, Colorado, 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 107006512, which is assigned to FirstBank of Parker. The counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic checks and display the following statement embedded within the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS DOCUMENT INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK." The counterfeit items are printed on green VersaCheck® stock.

Authentic checks include ornate scroll borders. The following statement and telephone number are centered near the top of the checks directly below the bank name: "24 HOUR BANKING (303) 237-5000." Additionally, the following statement appears below the dollars amount line: "This document has a multi-color background, a micro-print signature line, and a holographic foil title; absence of these features will indicate a copy."

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. The appearance of counterfeit items may be modified and that additional variations are possible.

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

Kelyn Naughton, Assistant Vice President
FirstBank Holding Company
12345 W. Colfax Ave
Lakewood, Colorado 80215
Telephone: (303) 235-1492
Fax: (303) 235-1046
E-mail: kelyn.naughton@efirstbank.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)

American Alliance Bank, Lake City , Minnesota (previously known as American Bank, Eau Claire , Wisconsin ) has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's previous name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items include the invalid routing number 092005411 and are not similar to authentic checks. The counterfeit items display "AMERICAN BANK" centered at the top above an Eau Claire , Wisconsin , address. Embedded within the top border is the following statement: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK." In the lower-left corner is the statement: "PAYABLE THROUGH FIRST INTERSTATE BANK HELENA, MT."

Authentic checks include the routing number 122037760, which is assigned to a payable-through account at First Regional Bank, Los Angeles , California . The bank issues cashier's checks through First Regional Bank. The name "AMERICAN ALLIANCE BANK" is centered at the top directly above a Lake City, Minnesota, address. Authentic checks have scroll-pattern borders and security feature descriptions are printed just below the top border.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. Be aware that the appearance of counterfeit items may be modified and that additional variations are possible.

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

Ann Hartle
Compliance and Security Officer
American Alliance Bank
P.O. Box 308
2728 Mall Drive
Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54702-0308
Telephone: (715) 834-5327
Fax: (715) 834-3818
E-mail: Ann.Hartle@greatbanking.net

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)