The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has learned that additional counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on the Exchange Bank, Santa Rosa, California, are in circulation. The latest items bear the routing number of the Valley Bank of Kalispell, Kalispell, Montana. Circulation of the items seems to be widespread. It also appears the counterfeit items presented to date are being used in connection with a foreign lottery telemarketing scam described in FIL-78-2000 (dated November 16, 2000) and FIL-60-2001 (dated July 9, 2001).

Attached for your information is a copy of one of the bank's legitimate cashier's checks and three copies of the counterfeit instruments.

For information about the validity of Exchange Bank cashier's checks, call the bank's customer service numbers, (800) 995-4066 or (707) 524-3000. If you believe your bank has been a victim of this fraudulent activity, or if you have any information about this matter, contact:

Information about these instruments also may be forwarded to the FDIC's Special Activities Section, 550 17th Street, NW, Room F-6012, Washington, DC 20429. Information also may be transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov.

For your reference, all FDIC Financial Institution Letters published since January of 1995 may be found on the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov under "News, Events & FOIA."

Attachments (Not available electronically)

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

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).