Each depositor insured to at least $250,000 per insured bank

First California Bank, Westlake Village, California, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashiers checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 322271724, which is assigned to Citibank, FSB, New Castle, Delaware. The items are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks and, when copied, have a "VOID" background. A security feature statement is embedded within a darkened top border and along the bottom border between two padlocks. The words "CASHIERS CHECK" are in the top-left corner and the bank's name and an address, not associated with the bank, are in the top center area.

Authentic cashier's checks display the routing number 122237308, which is assigned to First California Bank. A security feature statement is centered below the written dollar amount line. The bank's logo, name and address are in the top-left corner. A dark vertical stripe is along the left border and a padlock and vertical security statement are at the end of the written dollar amount line. An indemnity bond statement is in the top center. The words "Cashier's Check" are written in a cursive font in the lower-left 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 concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

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, NW, Room F-3054, Washington, DC 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Questions 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/2011/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)