Pacific International Bank, Seattle, Washington, 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 are reportedly associated with a sweepstakes scam and are accompanied by a letter from the "Investment & Trust Co." The letters state that recipients were previously notified of their winnings and should contact the claims division office to claim the winnings. The letters further state that capital gains are subject to tax based on a treaty between the United States and Europe thereby requiring recipients to return 10 percent of the winnings.

The counterfeit items include the routing number 125008657, which is assigned to Pacific International Bank. The following security statement is embedded in the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK." In addition, the counterfeit items display a square-shaped logo and "PIBANK" in the top-left corner above the bank's address and a toll-free telephone number, which is not associated with the bank. The FDIC logo and the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are centered at the top. The counterfeit items have two signature lines.

Authentic cashier's checks display a square logo in the upper-left corner with the bank's name shown as "PIBANK," "Pacific," "International," and "Bank" on four separate lines directly to the right of the logo. In a column to the right of the bank's name are the address and a local telephone number. "Cashiers Check" is printed in the top-right corner.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. Be aware that the appearance of counterfeit items can be modified and that additional variations may be presented.

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

Sue Gammon
Vice President - Operations
Pacific International Bank
1155 North 130th Street
Seattle, Washington 98133
Telephone: (206) 306-7900
Fax: (206) 306-0501
E-mail: sue.lee1@pibank.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 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.

Attachment (not available electronically)

NOTE: As a security precaution, the FDIC does not post to its Web site electronic images of fraudulent items or authentic checks that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Financial institutions can view images of the fraudulent items and authentic checks (marked as VOID) using the FDIC's free, secure Web site, FDICconnect. (See more information about FDICconnect at http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2006/fil06032.html.) Printed copies of each 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)