The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is pleased to announce the publication of the brochure Tips for Safe Banking Over the Internet , produced in collaboration with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office of Thrift Supervision.

The brochure is designed to assist consumers when banking online, with tips on how to confirm that an online bank is legitimate, verify deposit insurance status, and determine the amount insured. In addition, consumers can learn about protection of personal private information and ways to maintain secure transactions online. Information on how and where to file a complaint on suspicious or fraudulent banks, where to find information on consumer protection laws and regulations, and where to seek assistance from banking regulators is also provided.

The brochure, including the FDIC logo, may be reprinted without specific permission from the FDIC provided the text is used in its entirety, without modification. The addition of your financial institution's name and logo on the back of the brochure is permitted. No other modifications may be made.

The FDIC is providing all FDIC-insured institutions with the attached camera-ready art, which your institution may use to produce its own brochure. In addition, the brochure can be downloaded from the FDIC's Internet site at www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/online/safe.html.

For further information, please call John Kotsiras at the FDIC on (202) 898-6620.

Distribution: All FDIC-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 (800-276-6003 or (703) 562-2200).