Counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on First Bank, Ketchikan, Alaska, and First Bank, Austin, Texas, are reportedly in circulation

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

The counterfeit items display the routing number 125200044, which is assigned to First Bank, Ketchikan, Alaska. However, the counterfeit items state thare drawn on First Bank, Austin, Texas, and are issued by Accelerated Payment Systems, Inc., Mesa, Arizona. They display the wording "CASHIER'S CHECK" across the left border of the item and a logo of a "1" superimposed on top of a map of the United States, encircled in a globe. Authentic cashier's checks display the logo consisting of a large "1" to the left of the bank's name and address. A copy of a counterfeit item and an authentic cashier's check (VOID) are attached for your review.

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Cindy Balzer
Vice President-Compliance Officer
First Bank
331 Dock Street
P. O. Box 7920
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Telephone: (907) 228-4206
Fax: (907) 228-4428
E-mail: cindy.balzer@firstbankak.com

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, N.W., Room F-4004, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Information 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 website at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2006/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Sandra L. ThompsonActing Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection