First International Bank, Plano, Texas, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the bank's name are in circulation. The counterfeit items are associated with a lottery scam and are accompanied by a sweepstakes notification letter from www.uk-winners-sweepstakes.com, which is sent via the U.S. Postal Service.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 111915259, which is assigned to First International Bank, and are relatively similar to authentic cashier's checks. However, the following statement is embedded in the top border and displayed in dark lettering: "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A COLORED BORDER AND BACKGROUND PLUS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT WATERMARK ON THE BACK – HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW." Above the bottom border on the right side, the following statement appears: "SIGNATURE AREA CONTAINS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT CHECK WORDING." The statement is followed by six "U.S. Patent" numbers.

Authentic cashiers checks have the following statement embedded in the top border: "THIS CHECK CONTAINS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK, MICROPRINTING, FLUORESCENT FIBERS AND IS CHEMICAL REACTIVE." The statement appears in light lettering against a darker background. Authentic checks do not contain any security wording or mention of U.S. Patent numbers below the signature line. The telephone number (800) 996-5554 is shown on authentic checks.

Copies of the counterfeit item and two authentic cashiers checks (VOID) are attached for your review.

To report any items, please call toll-free (800) 996-5554 and request any of the following staff members:

• Michael S. Cotter, Senior Vice President and Cashier, Extension 2404
• Pam Kroese, Assistant Vice President and Data Processing Manager, Extension 2425
• Blanca Sanchez, Bookkeeping Supervisor, Extension 2431
• Gay Vaughn, Vice President and Internal Auditor, Extension 2440
• Tracy Welch, Assistant Cashier, Extension 2405

To report any items via mail, please write to:

First International Bank
1912 Avenue K
Plano, Texas 75074

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 website 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.

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)