Special Alert: SLS00278

1/26/2006

SA-1-2006

Devon Bank, Chicago, Illinois, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 071004271, which is assigned to Devon Bank, and they are similar to authentic checks. However, some – but not all – of the counterfeit items display a black box in the upper-right corner of the check. The border on the sides of the counterfeit items is blurred, while the border on authentic checks is crisp. 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:

Irving Loundy
Senior Vice President
Devon Bank
6445 N. Western Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60645
Telephone: (773) 465-2500 Ext. 1300
Fax: (773) 973-7462
ILoundy@devonbank.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 online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks – commercial and savings). Printed copies of the Special Alert and its attachment(s) may also be obtained from the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 202-416-6940; fax: 202-416-2076; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

SA-2-2006

American Marine Bank, Bainbridge Island, Washington, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 125104865, which is assigned to American Marine Bank, and are similar to authentic checks in layout. However, the border on the counterfeit items has rounded corners, while the border on authentic checks has square corners. The counterfeit items display the following security wording in the top border: "This document is printed on white paper with a coloured background. The border contains micro printing." Also, the counterfeit items display security wording in the bottom border concerning artificial watermarks. Authentic checks do not display wording in either border. Authentic checks display a 1-800 telephone number beneath the bank's name in the upper-left corner of the check. Also, authentic checks are printed on a three-part gray herringbone pattern with blue printing. 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:

Jan Hannon
Senior Vice President
American Marine Bank
249 Winslow Way
Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110
Telephone: (206) 855-8620
Fax: (206) 855-8560
janh@americanmarinebank.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 online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks – commercial and savings). Printed copies of the Special Alert and its attachment(s) may also be obtained from the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 202-416-6940; fax: 202-416-2076; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

1/26/2006

SA-3-2006

Somerset Trust Company, Somerset, Pennsylvania, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit treasurer's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 043308691, which is assigned to Somerset Trust Company, but are not similar to authentic checks. On the counterfeit checks, "TREASURER'S CHECK" is printed in the center below the amount line, and "Somerset Trust Company – Your Bank in the Highlands" is printed in the upper-left corner with an incorrect phone number directly below the city and state. Authentic items bear the words "TREASURER'S CHECK" surrounded by a border with rounded corners in the center of the check below the amount line. Also, the bank's sun logo, along with "Somerset Trust Company – Your Bank in the Highlands" and the city, state and zip code, are located in the upper-left corner of authentic items. No phone number is displayed on authentic checks. A copy of a counterfeit check and a copy of an authentic (void) check are attached for your review.

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

Mike Whipkey
Somerset Trust Company
P.O. Box 777
Somerset, PA 15501-0777
Phone Number: (814) 443-9381
Fax Number: (814) 443-9220
Email: whipkey@somersettrust.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 online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks – commercial and savings). Printed copies of the Special Alert and its attachment(s) may also be obtained from the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 202-416-6940; fax: 202-416-2076; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

1/26/2006

SA-4-2006

Principal Bank, Des Moines, Iowa, 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 073922623, which is assigned to Principal Bank, but are dissimilar to authentic items. The counterfeit checks have "Cashier's Check" printed on the top-left side and "Principal Bank" printed in the top center above the misspelled city name and a phone number. The counterfeit items' multicolored check stock is light blue fading to light pink. Authentic items bear the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the upper-left corner next to the bank's triangle logo and name. Also, the bank's hours, Web site address, phone number and address are located on the left side above "PAY TO THE ORDER OF." The word "MEMO" is located directly beneath. Authentic secure check stock is yellow, green, tan, or blue paper. Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic (voided) item are attached for your review.

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

William J. Hayen
Compliance & Operational Risk Officer
711 High Street, Mail Stop P 001 S 10
Des Moines, IA 50392-5380
Phone Number: (515) 883-9188
Fax Number: (515) 883-9158
Email: hayen.bill@principal.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 online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks – commercial and savings). Printed copies of the Special Alert and its attachment(s) may also be obtained from the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 202-416-6940; fax: 202-416-2076; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

1/26/2006

SA-5-2006

West Coast Bank, Lake Oswego, Oregon, 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 123200088, which is assigned to West Coast Bank.

The counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit checks display a logo of a triangle with diagonal stripes, and they do not include the bank's telephone number. The counterfeit items are printed on bank stock paper with a tan background and micro-printing, with a watermark on the reverse side.

Authentic cashier's checks display the bank's logo, which is a triangle containing tree and river shapes, in the top-center portion of the check. Authentic checks also display the bank's telephone number directly beneath " Lake Oswego , Oregon ." The checks are multicolored, with a range of peach, yellow and green shades from left to right. Also, authentic checks have a foil strip hologram on the top, a lock symbol to the right of the dollar amount line, and a gray strip at the bottom.

Copies of a counterfeit item and a voided authentic check are attached for your review.

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

Jeffrey Korte
Corporate Security Manager
West Coast Bank
P.O. Box 8000 Mail Stop 150-11
Wilsonville, OR 97070
Phone Number: (503) 454-3377
Fax Number: (503) 454-3353
Email: kortej@wcb.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 online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks – commercial and savings). Printed copies of the Special Alert and its attachment(s) may also be obtained from the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 202-416-6940; fax: 202-416-2076; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

1/26/2006

SA-6-2006

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions of Canada has published the attached "Warning Notice" (Issue No. 67), which names Euro Trust Corporation as an entity recently brought to OSFI's attention.

Warning Notice No. 67 states that Euro Trust Corporation, Laval, QC, is not an authorized federally regulated financial institution (Canadian) and may be involved in advance fee scams (see OSFI's Warning Notice No. 23, dated February 2002). This entity is associated with a lottery scam involving victims receiving counterfeit checks drawn on Bank of America.

In addition, OSFI has removed Colonial Bank Limited from the Cumulative Warning List.

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

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other fraudulent activity may be forwarded to the FDIC's Cyber-Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-4004, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Information related to federal deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.

For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's 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: Can be found at http://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/app/DocRepository/1/eng/consumer/notices/Warning_Notice_67_e.pdf 110k (PDF help)
Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

1/26/2006

SA-7-2006

Essex Savings Bank, Essex, Connecticut, 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 211170376, which is assigned to Essex Savings Bank.

The counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic items. On the counterfeit items, "OFFICIAL CHECK" is printed in the lower-left corner and "ESSEX SAVINGS BANK" is printed in the upper-left corner. The bank name and a branch address, " 101 Halls Road , Old Lyme, CT 06371-1452, as well as a phone number appear in the top center of the check. The counterfeit checks are printed on blue and pink safety paper. Authentic items bear the words "OFFICIAL CHECK" in the top center of the check and are printed on blue safety paper. The bank's ship logo and name are located in the upper-left corner.

Copies of a 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:

Lynn K. Giroux
Senior Vice President - Administration
Essex Savings Bank
P.O. Box 950
Essex, CT 06426
Phone (860) 767-4414
FAX (860)-767-4411
Email lgiroux@essexsavings.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 online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks – commercial and savings). Printed copies of the Special Alert and its attachment(s) may also be obtained from the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 202-416-6940; fax: 202-416-2076; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

1/26/2006
SA-8-2006

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) of Canada has published the attached "Warning Notice" (Issue No. 68), which lists two entities – Union One Bank, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and SL Financial Group, associated with North York, Ontario, Canada – recently brought to OSFI's attention.

Warning Notice No. 68 states that these entities are not authorized federally regulated financial institutions (Canadian) and may be involved in advance fee scams (see OSFI's Warning Notice No. 23, dated February 2002). The warning also states that Union One Bank is located at 3125 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and has a telephone number of (888) 283-3699 and a Web address of www.uniononebank.com. Information on SL Financial Group is less complete. The warning does not provide a local address, telephone number or Web address for this entity.

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.

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

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other fraudulent activity may be forwarded to the FDIC's Cyber-Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-4004, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Information related to federal deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.

For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's 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: Can be found at http://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/app/DocRepository/1/eng/consumer/notices/Warning_Notice_68_e.pdf 108k (PDF help)

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

SA-9-2006

KeyBank National Association, Cleveland, Ohio, contacted the Office of the Comptroller of Currency (OCC) to report that counterfeit official checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 122037171. In the top-left portion of the checks is the bank's name followed by an incorrect address ( 23250 Pacific Hwy S, Kent WA 98032) and an incorrect telephone number (1-866-909-9189). The term "OFFICIAL CHECK" is displayed in the top-center portion of the items. The counterfeit checks also contain the following statement embedded in the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK."

Authentic official checks display the term "OFFICIAL CHECK" in white block letters inside a gray box in the top-center portion of the check. A black key is located in the top-left portion of the check and the following statement is displayed below the top border: "THE BACK OF THIS DOCUMENT HAS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK PRINTED IN A SPECIAL WHITE INK. HOLD THE DOCUMENT AT A SMALL ANGLE TO SEE THIS SECURITY FEATURE." A dark blue strip below the routing number line states: "THE VARIABLE TONE BACKGROUND AREA OF THIS DOCUMENT CHANGES COLOR GRADUALLY AND SMOOTHLY FROM DARKER TONES AT BOTH TOP AND BOTTOM TO THE LIGHTEST TONE IN THE MIDDLE." Authentic official checks feature blue lined cubes that fade in color from both the top and the bottom, with the lightest shading in the center portion of the check.

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

Corporate Security Division
KeyBank National Association
127 Public Square
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Telephone: (800) 433-0124

Additional information about 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)

1/26/2006

SA-10-2006

The Office of the Comptroller of Currency (OCC) has notified the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) that the Central Bank of Belize (CBB) has not granted a banking license to the United Exchange International Bank, Belize City , Belize . The entity is not authorized to conduct the business of banking in or from Belize .

This fictitious Internet bank reportedly is located at 166 North Front St. #213, Belize City, Belize. The CBB advises that the company is not located at that address or any other known location in Belize. The telephone number associated with United Exchange International Bank is (801) 576-2610 and the Web address is www.uxibank.net. The telephone number and Web site registration information indicate that the entity originates from the state of Utah. However, there is no record that the state of Utah has issued a banking license to this entity.

Any information about this matter should be brought to the attention of the Central Bank of Belize :

If you have any questions about this alert or wish to provide information to the OCC about this matter, you may forward questions or information 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)

1/26/2006

SA-11-2006

First Independence Bank, Detroit, Michigan, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's former name are in circulation. The counterfeit items display the routing number 072001079, which is assigned to First Independence Bank.

Some counterfeit items have a toll-free number printed below the address. Printed beneath the amount line is: "This document has security features. Absence of the security features will indicate a copy." The paper stock of the counterfeit checks is either green or blue with a marble design and a watermark on the reverse side.

Authentic cashier's checks have a foil security strip with leaf shapes across the top, a copy shield background, and a security lock to the right of the dollar amount line. Authentic checks are light green, bear the words "Deluxe Crestwood" in the lower-right-hand corner, and have a watermark on the reverse side.

Copies 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:

Jacquelyn T. Taylor
Bank Security Officer
First Independence Bank
44 Michigan Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone (313) 256-8495 (or 8432)
FAX (313) 256-8444
Email JacquelynTaylor@firstindependence.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 online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks – commercial and savings). Printed copies of the Special Alert and its attachment(s) may also be obtained from the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 202-416-6940; fax: 202-416-2076; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).

Distribution: Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

1/26/2006

SA-12-2006

The First National Bank, McConnelsville, Ohio, 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 044106384, which is assigned to First National Bank; however, they are not similar to authentic items. On the counterfeit checks, "OFFICIAL CHECK" is printed in the top center and the bank name, city, state and zip code are printed in the upper-left corner. "Check No." is displayed in the upper-right corner.

Authentic items bear the words "OFFICIAL CHECK" in the lower-left corner and the bank's flag logo, name and full mailing address in the upper-left corner. Imbedded in the top border is: "The face of this check has a security void background pattern. Do not cash if the word void is visible." A padlock symbol appears on the right side of the items. Authentic items are printed on security paper with a wavy blue background and a border.

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

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

Timothy Scholl
Security Officer
The First National Bank
P.O. Box 206
86 N. Kennebec Avenue
McConnelsville, OH 43756-208
Phone (740) 962-3911
FAX (740) 962-6535

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other fraudulent activity may be forwarded to the FDIC's Cyber-Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-4004, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Information related to federal deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.

For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2006/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Attachment (not available electronically)

NOTE: As a security precaution, the FDIC does not post to its Web site online copies of fraudulent instruments or copies of the genuine instruments that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use the electronic versions of these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Printed copies of fraudulent instruments are mailed with the Special Alert letter to the financial institutions on the letter's distribution list (generally, FDIC-supervised banks – commercial and savings). Printed copies of the Special Alert and its attachment(s) may also be obtained from the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 202-416-6940; fax: 202-416-2076; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)