Special Alert: SA2007004

Special Alerts

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has been receiving an increasing number of reports from financial institutions, businesses and consumers that counterfeit business checks are in circulation.

Like counterfeit official bank checks, cashier's checks and money orders, counterfeit business checks are being used in connection with various consumer scams. In many cases, counterfeit business checks are included with correspondence that describes an artificial purpose, and instructs the recipient to cash the check and send a portion of the funds via wire transfer to a third party. Scams that make use of counterfeit business checks typically involve bogus lotteries, sweepstakes or contests, and overpayment for merchandise purchased ? often over the Internet.

In recent examples, counterfeit business checks have displayed the names of well-known and recognizable businesses. In other examples, they have displayed the names of what appear to be small or nondescript businesses; however, they have included the routing number and account number used for the issuance of official checks by a financial institution.

The FDIC urges financial institution management and employees to be aware of the pervasive nature of counterfeit checks and to recognize the warning signs of counterfeit checks associated with consumer scams.

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. Questions 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 http://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.

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Special Alerts

Acacia Federal Savings Bank, Falls Church, 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 display the routing number 256073328, which is assigned to Acacia Federal Savings Bank. A logo that includes the bank's name and address is displayed in the top center. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are in the top-left corner. Counterfeit items have pre- printed lines for "PAY TO THE ORDER OF" and the written dollar amount and one signature line in the lower-right corner.

Authentic checks have the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top center, while the bank's logo, name and address are in the top-left corner. Authentic checks have two signature lines in the lower-right 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:

Arrietta Wagner
Assistant Vice President of Operations
Acacia Federal Savings Bank
7600 Leesburg Pike, East Building, Suite 200
Falls Church, Virginia 22043
Telephone: (800) 950-0270, extension 73584
Fax: (703) 506-8162
E-mail: arrietta.wagner@afsb.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. Questions 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.

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)

Special Alerts

Altura State Bank, Altura, Minnesota, 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 associated with "The Apex Evaluation and Marketing Services," supposedly a secret shopping entity based in Ontario , Canada .

The counterfeit items display the routing number 091906359, which is assigned to Altura State Bank. Counterfeit items have a design surrounding the border and display "CASHIER'S CHEck" near the top border.

Authentic items display the wording "BANK MONEY ORDER" in the top center.

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:

Peter Kramer
Altura State Bank
P.O. Box 165
Altura, Minnesota 55910
Telephone: (507) 796-6761
Fax: (507) 796-6131
E-mail: pkramer@alturastatebank.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. Questions 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.

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)

Special Alerts

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) of Canada has published the attached "Warning Notice" (Issue No. 75), which contains the names Golden Merchant Bank, Verdun , Quebec , and Dexia Financial Trust, Brantford , Ontario . Both have been recently brought to OSFI's attention. Warning Notice Issue No. 75 states that the names listed are not authorized, federally-regulated financial institutions (Canadian). According to the notice, Golden Merchant Bank has a fax number of (514) 932-9021. Dexia Financial Trust is not associated with Dexia Crédit Local S.A., which is a legitimate foreign bank under the Bank Act and has an office in Montreal , Quebec . The telephone number (519) 694-0519 is associated with Dexia Financial Trust, a subject of this notice.

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

To report any 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.

Questions 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 http://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.

Attachment [Can be found at: http://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/app/DocRepository/1/eng/consumer/notices/Warning_Notice_75_e.pdf](PDF Help)

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Special Alerts

Venture Bank, Bloomington, Minnesota, 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 091017196, which is assigned to Venture Bank, but are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display a security feature statement within the top border. The wording "CASHIERS CHECK" appears in the top center. The bank's name and address are printed in the upper-left corner. A "REMITTER" line is printed below the bank's name and address. The words "CHECK DATE" and "CHECK AMOUNT" are each printed inside rectangles with round corners on the right side. The statement "CHECKS OVER $25,000 MUST HAVE 2 SIGNATURES" appears below the "CHECK AMOUNT" rectangle. The statement "PAY TO THE ORDER OF" is displayed in the lower-left corner.

Authentic checks have ornate borders. The bank's name and address appear in the top center. The words "Cashier's Check" are displayed in the lower-left corner. A padlock icon and a security feature statement appear below the word "DOLLARS" on the right side of the written 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:

Kara L. Lombard
Vice President and Deposit Operations Officer
Venture Bank
5601 Green Valley Drive, Suite 120
Bloomington, Minnesota 55437
Telephone: (952) 837-0672
Fax: (952) 830-8218
E-mail: klombard@venturebankonline.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. Questions 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.

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)

Special Alerts

Danversbank, Danvers, Massachusetts, 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 211371162, which is assigned to Danversbank, but are markedly dissimilar to authentic personal money orders. The counterfeit items include the statement "NOT VALID OVER $5,000" and the words "OFFICIAL CASHIER'S CHECK" in the lower-left corner. The following security statement is embedded within the top border: "THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND ON WHITE PAPER." The statement "THE BACK OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK-HOLD AN ANGLE TO VIEW" is embedded within the bottom border, and a padlock key icon appears within the right border.

Danversbank does not issue official cashier's checks. Authentic personal money orders display the statement "NOT VALID OVER $1,000" and the words "PERSONAL MONEY ORDER" in the lower- left corner. The personal money orders have ornate borders. Printed below the top border is the following security description: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO PRINT SIGNATURE LINE, AUTHENTIC WATERMARK, AND CHLOROSTAIN PAPER; ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY." Displayed on three lines in the lower-right corner are the words "PURCHASER'S SIGNATURE," "PURCHASER'S ADDRESS," AND "CITY, STATE, AND ZIP."

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic personal money order (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:

Christine M. Gould
Assistant Vice President, Fraud and Loss Prevention
Danversbank
1 Conant Street
Danvers, Massachusetts 01923
Telephone: (978) 624-1137
Fax: (978) 646-9637
E-mail: chris.gould@danversbank.com

Information about Counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other Counterfeit 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. Questions 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.

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)

Special Alerts

Greystone Bank, Raleigh, North Carolina, 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 a secret shopper scam and are included with correspondence from "Money & Shopping Insite Inc.," which is being sent from Canada .

The counterfeit items display the routing number 053112628, which is assigned to Greystone Bank, but are markedly dissimilar to authentic official checks. The counterfeit items display security statements embedded within the top and bottom borders. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" and "DRAWER: GREYSTONE BANK" appear in the upper-right corner. The bank's name (printed twice), city, state and a telephone number, which is not associated with the bank, appear in the upper-left corner. Two signature lines appear in the lower-right corner. The bank's name is printed below the written dollar amount line. The items have a "VOID" background when copied.

Greystone Bank issues official checks, rather than cashier's checks. Authentic checks display the routing number 011007092, which is a payable-through account issued by Travelers Express drawn on Boston Safe Deposit & Trust. The checks display the words "OFFICIAL CHECK" vertically along the left side. The wording "Issued By: Traveler's Express Company, Inc., P.O. Box 9476, Minneapolis, MN 55480" and "Drawee: Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co., Boston, Massachusetts" appear in the top center. The statement "SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED. DETAILS ON BACK" is vertically printed above a security padlock icon within the right border. Authentic checks have one signature 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:

Bob Denlinger
Chief Security Officer
Greystone Bank
4700 Falls of Neuse Road, Suite 190
Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
Telephone: (919) 882-2373
Fax: (919) 847-8732

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. Questions 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.

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)

Special Alerts

The Lenox National Bank, Lenox, Massachusetts, 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 secret shopper scam.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 011805388, which is assigned to The Lenox National Bank, but are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items have ornate blue borders on three sides. They also display the words "OFFICIAL CHECK" inside a rectangle with rounded corners centered within the top border. The following security statement appears on each side of the rectangle: "HOLD THIS DOCUMENT UP TO THE LIGHT TO VIEW TRUE WATERMARK." "LENOX NATIONAL BANK, 7 Main Street, Lenox, MA 01240-1532" appears in the lower-left corner.

The Lenox National Bank issues cashier's checks, rather than official checks. Authentic checks display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" inside a green rectangle in the lower-left corner below an indemnity bond statement. The bank's name, city and state are printed inside a rectangle in the top center. "MEMBER FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION" appears directly below the rectangle. An image of the bank's historical office building appears as a watermark in the center. Authentic checks are green in color; the center is gray.

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 E. Leskovitz
Executive Vice President
The Lenox National Bank
7 Main Street
Lenox, Massachusetts 01240
Telephone: (413) 637-0017
Fax: (413) 637-0844
E-mail: jleskovitz@lenoxnationalbank.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. Questions 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.

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)

Special Alerts

Ameriana Bank, SB (formerly named Ameriana Savings Bank), New Castle, Indiana, 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 are reportedly associated with a secret shopper scam originating in Canada and the United Kingdom .

The counterfeit items display the routing number 274970717, which is assigned to Ameriana Bank, SB, but are markedly dissimilar to authentic official checks. The counterfeit items have ornate borders on three sides and display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" inside a rectangle with rounded corners centered within the top border. The following security statement appears on each side of the rectangle: "HOLD THIS DOCUMENT UP TO THE LIGHT TO VIEW TRUE WATERMARK." "AMERIANA SAVINGS BANK, 2118 BUNDY AVENUE, NEW CASTLE, IN 47362-2922" appears in the lower-left corner.

Ameriana Bank, SB, issues official checks, rather than cashier's checks. Authentic checks display the wording "OFFICIAL CHECK" in the top center. The top border is dark gray and contains the following security statement printed in white: "THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND-NOT A WHITE BACKGROUND. THE BACK OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS AN ARTIFICAL WATERMARK-HOLD AT AN ANGLE TO VIEW." The word "Ameriana" and the bank's name, city, state and zip code are printed in the upper-left corner. Checks are gray in color and have a "VOID" background when copied.

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:

Al Williams
Security Director
Ameriana Bank, SB
2118 Bundy Avenue
New Castle, Indiana 47362-2922
Telephone: (765) 521-7702
Fax: (765) 521-7516
E-mail: al.williams@ameriana.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. Questions 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.

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)