Northrim Bank, Anchorage, Alaska, 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 125200934, which is assigned to Northrim Bank. Counterfeit items are not similar to authentic checks. Counterfeit items display the bank's logo, name and "Anchorage, AK 99524" in the top-left corner. A short line appears directly above the logo. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are printed in the upper-right corner and "REMITER" is printed in the lower-left corner. The following phrase is embedded in the top border of counterfeit items: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND HIGH RESOLUTION BORDER. THE REVERSE SIDE OF THE DOCUMENT HAS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK." Counterfeit items display one authorized signature line in the lower-right corner.

Authentic checks display the bank's logo, name and the address "3111 C Street, Anchorage, AK 99503" in the top-left corner. The words "CASHIERS CHECK" are printed in the center of the check inside a box with rounded corners. A "Memo" line appears in the lower-left corner and two signature lines are printed in the lower-right corner. Authentic cashier's checks have the following statement printed 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." An additional description of a security feature is embedded in the bottom border. 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:

James M. Kurth
Assistant Vice President and Security Manager
Northrim Bank
3111 C Street
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
Telephone: (907) 261-3513
Fax: (907) 261-8773
or
Andrea Jacobson
Security Officer
Northrim Bank
Telephone: (907) 261-4634

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)