The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has received notifications from several foreign financial institutions regarding a fax request that appears to have been sent by the FDIC. The fraudulent letter indicates that the FDIC has introduced new money laundering and anti-terrorism measures for foreign financial institutions and requests information on bank accounts and investments maintained in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom.

The notification was not sent by the FDIC and may be a fraudulent attempt to obtain access to foreign financial institution accounts.

The FDIC can be contacted toll free at 877-275-3342, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., ET. The FDIC's Web site is www.fdic.gov.

# # #

Congress created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in 1933 to restore public confidence in the nation's banking system. The FDIC insures deposits at the nation's 9,116 banks and savings associations and it promotes the safety and soundness of these institutions by identifying, monitoring and addressing risks to which they are exposed. The FDIC receives no federal tax dollars - insured financial institutions fund its operations.

FDIC press releases and other information are available on the Internet at www.fdic.gov or through the FDIC's Public Information Center (877-275-3342 or (703) 562-2200).