Special Alert: SLS00286

SA-60-2006

3/30/2006

1st Financial Bank USA, Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that fraudulent checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The fraudulent items display the routing number 091404466, which is assigned to 1st Financial Bank USA . 1st Financial Bank USA does not issue cashier's checks and the items are not similar to any authentic bank instrument in appearance.

The fraudulent items bear the bank's name in the top-left corner and the words "CASHIERS CHECK" are located in the top-center of the item. In the lower-left corner are the bank's name, with the "1st" spelled out as "First"; an address; and a telephone number not associated with the bank. Printed in the top border is the following: "THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS SECURITY FEATURES-MICRO PRINTING-HIDDEN VOID PANTOGRAPH PRINTED ON SECURITY PAPER WITH INVISIBLE FIBERS AND CHEMICAL REACTANTS." The fraudulent items are printed on light blue paper. A copy of a fraudulent item is attached for your review.

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

F. Mark Kennedy
Security Services Manager
1st Financial Bank USA
363 W. Anchor Drive
Dakota Dunes, SD 57049
Phone: (605) 232-6753
Fax: (605) 232-6747
E-mail: mkennedy@1fbusa.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, 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)

3/30/2006

Mercantile-Safe Deposit and Trust Company, Baltimore, Maryland, 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 052000618, which is assigned to Mercantile-Safe Deposit and Trust Company. The counterfeit items are not similar to authentic treasurer's checks in appearance.

The counterfeit items bear the name "Mercantile Bank and Trust," an address, and a telephone number not associated with the bank in the lower-left corner. The words "TREASURY CHECK" are in a solid box in the top center, and a logo is displayed in the upper-left corner. The words "PAY EXACTLY" are displayed on the left side and a padlock symbol on the far right side. Printed above the signature lines in the lower-right corner is the following statement: "CHECKS OVER $25,000 MUST HAVE TWO SIGNATURES." Printed in the bottom border is the following statement: "THE VARIABLE TONE BACKGROUND AREA OF THIS DOCUMENT CHANGES COLOR GRADUALLY AND SMOOTHLY AT BOTH TOP AND BOTTOM TO THE LIGHTEST TONE IN THE MIDDLE."

Authentic treasurer's checks display the bank's logo next to the name "Mercantile Bank and Trust," the city, and the state in the upper-left corner. The words "TREASURER'S CHECK" appear in the lower-left corner. "TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED IF $10,000 OR GREATER" is printed below the top signature line, and "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" is printed below the second signature line on the lower-right side. Authentic checks have a medium grey background.

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

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

J. C. Swinson
Security Officer
Mercantile-Safe Deposit and Trust Company
Two Hopkins Plaza
Baltimore, MD 21203-1477
Telephone (410) 347-8319
FAX: (410) 347-8263
E-mail: jc.swinson@mercantile.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

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

3/30/2006

Bank of Eureka Springs, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, 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 082904726, which is assigned to Bank of Eureka Springs, and are similar to authentic cashier's checks in appearance. In the top border of the counterfeit items is the following statement: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK." The counterfeit items are printed on pink paper. Authentic cashier's checks have ornamental borders on all sides, display a padlock symbol on the far right side, and are printed on yellow paper. Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review.

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

Melissa Summers
Security Officer
Bank of Eureka Springs
152 East Van Buren Street
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
Phone: (479) 253-2265, Ext. 1148
Fax: (479) 253-1165
e-mail: msummers@bankeureka.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, 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)

SA-63-2006

3/30/2006

People's Bank, Bridgeport, Connecticut, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit items bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 221172186, which is assigned to People's Bank, and are similar to authentic cashier's checks in appearance. The counterfeit items are printed on mottled beige and yellow paper; the top and bottom borders are gray. Authentic cashier's checks are printed on paper with a dark and light gray marbled background; the top and bottom borders are dark gray. Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review.

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

Kim L. Syrop
Manager
Corporate Fraud Investigation/Recovery
People's Bank
850 Main Street
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Telephone: (203) 338-7833
Fax: (203) 338-5099
E-mail: klsyrop@peoples.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, 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)

SA-64-2006

3/30/2006

Greenfield Savings Bank, Greenfield, 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 of 211870799, which is assigned to Greenfield Savings Bank; however, they are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks in layout, style, and fonts. The counterfeit items display "Cashier's Check" in the top center, and the bank's name and main office address (including a PO Box number) in the top-left corner. They also include the following across the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK."

Authentic cashier's checks include the words "CASHIERS CHECK" inside the top and bottom borders. They also display the bank's logo, name, branch names and state in the top-left corner. Authentic cashier's checks are light green with ornamental borders on all sides.

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

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

Kate Stevens
Compliance Officer
Greenfield Savings Bank
400 Main Street, P.O. Box 1537
Greenfield, MA 01302
Telephone: (413) 774-3191
Fax: (413) 775-2943
E-mail: kstevens@greenfieldsavings.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 , 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)

SA-65-2006

3/30/2006

The Harbor Bank of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit items bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 096016765, which is assigned to US Bank, St. Paul , MN . The Harbor Bank of Maryland issues cashier's checks through US Bank. The counterfeit items are similar to authentic cashier's checks in appearance, and bear the bank's name, city, state and zip code and a toll-free number, which is not associated with the bank, on the upper-left side. A "Memo" line appears in the lower-left corner and the words "Check No." are printed in the upper-right corner. In the top border is the following statement: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A GRADUATED BACKGROUND DARK TO LIGHT THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK."

Authentic cashier's checks display the bank's name, city, state and zip code in the top center, and a "REMITTER" line appears on the upper-left side. Authentic items have a microprint signature line and are printed on blue paper.

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

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

Rene D. Washington
Compliance and Security/AVP
The Harbor Bank of Maryland
25 W. Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: (443) 923-0566 Direct
Fax: (410) 735-3330
E-mail: rwashington@theharborbank.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, 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)