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

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is receiving inquiries from foreign financial institutions that have received faxed messages that have the appearance of being sent from the FDIC. The fraudulent letters indicate that the “FDIC money laundering and anti-terrorism joint Task Force Security” is requesting financial account and investment information regarding accounts maintained in financial institutions and investment banks in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom. The message warns institutions that failure to complete the form may result in civil and criminal penalties, including freezing of accounts, forfeiture of assets, and/or fines.

This faxed message was NOT sent by the FDIC and may be a fraudulent attempt to obtain access to foreign financial institution accounts. Financial institutions should NOT, under any circumstances, provide account information to these unknown sources.

For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC’s Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2004/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts, Financial Institution Letters and other announcements through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/news/news/announcements/index.html.

Distribution: All insured institutions

NOTE: Paper copies of FDIC financial institution letters may be obtained through the FDIC’s Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (1-877-275-3342 or (703) 562-2200).