Special Alert: SLS00337

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 ...

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

Counterfeit items display the routing number 25147309, which is not a valid routing number. Counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks and are printed on blue and purple paper. The phrase "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A COLORED BACKGROUND AND AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK CERTIFICATION SEAL ON THE BACK - HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW SEAL" is embedded in the top border. The phrase "SIGNATURE HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND" is printed in the lower- right corner below the signature line.

Authentic cashier's checks are printed on light green paper with black and green borders and black lettering.

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:

Joseph P. Zakaib
Vice President
Security Officer
Community Bank
38 North Central Avenue
Staunton, Virginia 24401
Phone: (540) 213-1230
Fax: (540) 213-1263
E-mail: jzakaib@cbnk.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/2007/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

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Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

First Republic Bank, Las Vegas, Nevada, (which acquired and merged with Bank of Walnut Creek) has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the Bank of Walnut Creek name are in circulation.

Counterfeit items display the routing number 121138013, which is assigned to First Republic Bank. Counterfeit items are not similar to authentic cashier's checks. The top-left corner of the counterfeit items display the Bank of Walnut Creek name and address and a phone number not associated with the bank. Counterfeit items also have descriptions of security features embedded in the top and bottom borders.

Authentic cashier's checks display the routing number 122042205, which is a payable-through account with Preferred Bank, Los Angeles , California . Authentic cashier's checks display scroll borders in the top-right and top-left corners. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are printed in the top-left corner, and the Bank of Walnut Creek name, address and phone number appear in the top-center portion.

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:

Fred J. Casissa
Compliance Officer
Tel: (415) 296-3756
Fax: (415)-296-3753
Email: fcasissa@firstrepublic.com

or

Janine Le
Director Operational Risk
Tel: (415) 288-1450
Fax: (415) 296-3753
Email: jvanle@firstrepublic.com

First Republic Bank
111 Pine Street
San Francisco, California 94111

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/2007/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

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Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

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

Counterfeit items display the routing number 114909013, which is assigned to Texas State Bank. Counterfeit items are light brown with a marble background. They have one signature line and a padlock symbol printed in the lower-right corner. The statement "THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND ON WHITE PAPER AND ORIGINAL DOCUMENT SECURITY SCREEN ON BACK WITH PADLOCK SECURITY ICON" is embedded in the top border.

Authentic checks have a light-blue background with black lettering. The authentic items contain two signature lines in the lower-right corner. The statement "THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT HAS A BLUE CHECK BACKGROUND ON WHITE PAPER" is embedded in 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 can be modified and that additional variations may be presented.

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

Joe Hinton
Vice President
Security Administration
Texas State Bank
P.O. Box 4797
McAllen, Texas 78502-4797
Phone: (956) 971-5936
E-mail: jhinton@txstbk.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/2007/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

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Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

American Banking Company, Moultrie, Georgia (also known as Ameris Bank) has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's routing number are in circulation.

Counterfeit items display the routing number 062101934, which is assigned to American Banking Company, and are dissimilar to the authentic checks. Counterfeit items display "REGIONS BANK" in the top-center portion above the words "FOR VERIFICATION CALL 334-413- 0756." "CERTIFIED CASHIERS CHECK" is printed in the upper-left corner above the address "P.O. BOX 48309, MONTGOMERY, AL 36117."

Authentic checks display the routing number 102000979, and are issued by Integrated Payment Systems Inc., Englewood , Colorado , and payable through J.P. Morgan Chase N.A., Denver , Colorado . "Ameris" is printed in the top-left corner and "OFFICIAL CHECK" appears in the top- center portion.

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:

Mona A. Hayes, Assistant Vice President
Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
Ameris Bank
P.O. Box 3668
Moultrie, Georgia 31776
Phone: (229) 890-6372 Extension 331
Fax: (229) 890-6376
Email: mona.hayes@amerisbank.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/2007/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

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Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

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

Counterfeit items display the routing number 081517936, which is assigned to Palmyra State Bank. Counterfeit items display a logo, the bank's name and location, "Issued by Integrated Payment Systems Inc., Englewood , Colorado ," and a toll-free telephone number in the top-left corner. At the top-center portion is the wording "CASHIER'S CHECK."

Authentic checks display the bank's logo, name, and location in the top-center portion. The checks do not display a street address or telephone number, and Integrated Payment Systems, Inc. is not referenced. The wording "CASHIER'S CHECK" is displayed in the lower-left corner.

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:

Laine Hudson
Senior Vice President
Palmyra State Bank P.O. Box 311
Palmyra, Missouri 63461
Telephone: (573) 769-2001
Fax: (573) 769-0142
E-mail: lhudson@palmyrastatebank.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 website at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2007/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

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Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

United Community Bank, Gonzales, Louisiana, 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 are reportedly associated with a Canadian lottery scam and are included with award notification letters from Royal Link International Lotto, Inc. The letters display an Ontario , Canada address.

Counterfeit items display the routing number 051900353, which is assigned to Branch Banking & Trust Company (BB&T), Wilson , North Carolina . Counterfeit items display a security statement "THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT IS PRINTED BLUE - THE BACK CONTAINS A SIMULATED WATERMARK" embedded in the top border.

Authentic checks display the bank's logo in the top-left corner. A security statement is displayed just below the top border. Authentic checks are payable through BB&T, Charleston , West Virginia .

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:

Calvin "Sonny" Aldridge
Bank Security Officer
United Community Bank
P.O. Box 850
Gonzales, Louisiana 15102
Telephone: (225) 644-2265, extension 2231
Fax: (225) 644-0402
E-mail: saldridge@hotmail.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/2007/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

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Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Clay County Bank, Inc., Clay, West Virginia, 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 are reportedly associated with various scams, including lottery scams involving both Interactive Gaming Commission, Inc., and Silver Winnings Payment, as well as overpayment scams associated with hotel reservations and online purchases.

Counterfeit items display the routing number 051502641, which is assigned to Clay County Bank. Counterfeit items display a building logo adjacent to the bank's name and location in the top-center portion.

Authentic checks display a logo consisting of the bank's initials adjacent to the bank's street address and telephone number, in the top-center portion. Security wording is printed in italics across the middle of authentic checks.

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:

Rebecca King
Assistant Vice President
Clay County Bank
150 Main Street
Post Office Box 239
Clay, West Virginia 25043
Telephone: (304) 587-4221
Fax: (304) 587-4231
Email: ccbank@claycountybank.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/2007/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

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Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Peoples Bank of Louisiana, Amite, Louisiana, 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 are reportedly associated with letters from Sentinel Financial Trust Services, Nassau , Bahamas , and International Processing Center , Nova Scotia , Canada .

Counterfeit items display the routing number 065403477, which is assigned to Peoples Bank of Louisiana . Counterfeit items are similar to authentic cashier's checks. However, counterfeit items display a security statement embedded in the top border, whereas authentic checks display a security statement below the dollar amount line.

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:

LaShawn Smith
Administrative Officer
or
Russell Conger
President and Chief Executive Officer

Peoples Bank of Louisiana
P. O. Box 669
201 West Oak Street
Amite, Louisiana 70422
Telephone: (985) 748-9476
Fax: (985) 748-5278
E-mail: lsmith@pbla.net
E-mail: rconger@pbla.net

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/2007/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

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Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Lamar National Bank, Paris, Texas, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

Counterfeit items display the routing number 111909870, which is assigned to Lamar National Bank. The counterfeit items are virtually identical to the authentic checks.

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.

To verify the authenticity of Lamar National Bank checks received under usual circumstances, please contact:

Linda Belcher
Vice President and Cashier
Lamar National Bank
P.O. Box 1097
Paris, Texas 75461
Telephone: (903) 784-0701
Fax: (903) 784-6222
E-mail: sikes@larmarnational.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/2007/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

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Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Bremer Bank, National Association, Menomonie, Wisconsin, 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 are reportedly part of a consumer scam and are included with a letter bearing the name "KPMG Financial Trust Services" and an address in the Bahamas .

Counterfeit items display the routing number 092005411, which is assigned to First Interstate Bank, Billings , Montana . Bremer Bank, National Association issues official checks through an account at First Interstate Bank. Counterfeit items display security wording embedded in the top border and a South St. Paul , Minnesota address.

A copy of a counterfeit item is attached for your review. Be aware that the appearance of counterfeit items can be modified and that additional variations may be presented.

Bremer Bank, National Association, requests customers verify the authenticity of the bank's checks by using the following contact information:

Vicki Colliander
Assistant Vice President, Loss Prevention Services
Bremer Bank, National Association
8555 Eagle Point Boulevard
Lake Elmo, Minnesota 55042
Telephone: (800) 908-2265, Select Option 8, Extension 4450
Fax: (651) 734-4211
E-mail: fraud@bremer.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/2007/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

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Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)