The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has learned that fictitious "certified" checks are in circulation.

The checks bear the name Sanborne Savings & Trust Company, P.O. Box 1475, Birmingham, AL 35233. A telephone number, 205-250-7151, is also printed on the checks. The routing number used on the checks is assigned to Sanborn Savings Bank, Sanborn, IA, a legitimate banking institution. The Alabama State Banking Department has confirmed that Sanborne Savings & Trust Company does not exist in the state of Alabama. Photocopies of some of the fictitious checks are attached for your information. To date, the checks have been negotiated primarily in the southeastern United States.

Information about these checks or similar items may be forwarded to the FDIC's Special Activities Section, 550 17th Street, NW, Room F-6012, Washington, DC 20429. Information may also 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." To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Financial Institution Letters through e-mail, please visit http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/announcements/index.html .

Attachment (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).