Special Alert: SLS00276

SA-196-2005

1/09-06

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) of Canada has published the attached "Warning Notice" (Issue No. 66), which contains the name of an entity ? Continental Bank of Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (http://www.continternational.com) ? recently brought to OSFI's attention.

Warning Notice No. 66 states that this entity is not an authorized federally regulated financial institution (Canadian) and may be involved in advance fee scams (see also OSFI's Warning Notice No. 23, dated February 2002). This entity, or persons purported to represent it, is reportedly operating in Canada, and may be violating provisions of the Bank Act ( Canada ) or other Canadian financial institution regulations. This entity may also be conducting unauthorized banking transactions in the United States . Any proposed transactions involving this entity should be viewed with extreme caution.

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/2005/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_66_e.pdf

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

NOTE: Paper copies of FDIC Special Alerts may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW , Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (1-877-275-3342 or 202-416-6940).

1/09/06

The Bank, Birmingham, AL, 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 092005411, which is the payable-through account of First Interstate Bank of Helena, MT. The fraudulent items are similar to authentic official checks. The counterfeit items have a light green background on the top half of the check that fades to a white background on the lower half, and a simple logo that says "BANK" in the upper left-hand corner of the check. Authentic official checks have a pale green background with a logo in the upper-left corner that is an ornate pillar incorporating the words "The BANK." 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:

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/2005/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-198-2005

1/09/06

CenterBank of Jacksonville, N.A., Jacksonville, Florida, has contacted the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 096016765, which is assigned to CenterBank of Jacksonville, N.A. The paper stock of the counterfeit items has a cross-stitch patterned border; authentic checks have a cloud-like background with a black border. In addition, the counterfeit items display the following statement in the lower-left portion of the item: "PAYABLE THRU FIRSTAR BANK OF MINNESOTA, N.A., ST.PAUL, MN." Authentic cashier's checks display the statement "PAYABLE THRU US BANK, ST. PAUL, MN " in the lower-left portion of the check.

To verify the authenticity of CenterBank of Jacksonville, N.A. cashier's checks, or to provide any information you have concerning this matter, please contact:

Janice B. Dixon
Bank Security Officer
CenterBank of Jacksonville, N.A.
1325 Hendricks Avenue
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
Telephone: (904) 421-3712
Fax: (904) 421-5682
jdixon@centerbankjax.com

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/2005/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)

NOTE: Paper copies of FDIC Special Alerts may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW , Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (1-877-275-3342 or 202-416-6940).

1/09/06

Dryades Savings Bank, FSB, New Orleans, LA, 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 265070516, which is the correct routing number for the bank; however, the fraudulent items are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. Authentic checks are light green, include a stop-notice statement below the words "Cashier's Check," and display the bank's address to the right of the bank logo. The counterfeit items use the term "Cheque No." in the upper right-hand corner and have an address below the logo.

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

Frank Oliveri
Chief Financial Officer
Dyrades Savings Bank, FSB
233 Carondelet Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Telephone (337) 261-1301
Or (866) 434-0281
Fax (337) 261-1446
foliveri@belsouth.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/2005/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)

NOTE: Paper copies of FDIC Special Alerts may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW , Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (1-877-275-3342 or 202-416-6940).

1/09/06

The Torrington Savings Bank, Torrington, Connecticut, 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 211174165, which is assigned to The Torrington Savings Bank. The counterfeit items are referred to as "Cashier's Checks"; however, authentic checks are referred to as "Treasurer's Checks." While the layout of the counterfeit items appears similar to the layout of authentic checks, the counterfeit items lack a logo in the upper-left corner of the check. Also, the counterfeit items display a 1-800 telephone number, which is not associated with the bank, and display an address, which was the address of a former branch location closed in 1997. A copy of a counterfeit item and an authentic cashier's check (VOID) are attached for your review.

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

Paul Reardon
Vice President and Security Officer
Torrington Savings Bank
129 Main Street.
Torrington, Connecticut 06790
Telephone: (860) 496-2152
Fax: (860) 496-4470
Preardon@torringtonsavings.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/2005/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-201-2005

1/09/06

Brookline Bank, Brookline, MA, contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit official checks bearing the name Lighthouse Bank are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 0113-7516-4, which is a routing number assigned to Brookline Bank. The fraudulent items are not similar to authentic Brookline Bank official checks. The fraudulent checks bear the name of Lighthouse Bank of Waltham, MA , which is no longer operating. A copy of a counterfeit item is attached for your review. There are no Lighthouse Bank authentic items being issued at this time.

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

Judy Binder,
Deposit Services Manager
Brookline Bank Operations Center
24 Webster Place
Brookline, MA 02445
Phone (617) 730-3600 ext. 3621
Fax - (617) 730-3552
Email - jbinder@brkl.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/2005/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-202-2005

1/09/06

New York Community Bank, Westbury, New York, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's former name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 102000979, which is assigned to the account of Integrated Payment Systems, Inc, Englewood, Colorado, held at JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., Denver, Colorado . New York Community Bank issues official checks through Integrated Payment Systems, Inc. The counterfeit items bear the bank's former name, Queens County Savings Bank, and logo. Authentic official checks display a lock on the right side of the check, display the names of other New York Community Banks, and have the "Official Check" wording in a box that is part of the top border of the check. The counterfeit items do not display either the lock or the names of other New York Community Banks. The counterfeit items use the term "Official Check," but the term is not framed in a box. A copy 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:

Glen A. Doyle
Senior Fraud Investigator
New York Community Bank
615 Merrick Avenue
Westbury, New York 111590
Telephone: (516) 683-4421
Fax: (516) 683-8099
Glen.Doyle@mynycb.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/2005/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)