Counterfeit official checks drawn on Fifth Third Bank, Cincinnati, Ohio, are reportedly in circulation

Fifth Third Bank, Cincinnati, Ohio, 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 042101190, which is assigned to Fifth Third Bank. The counterfeit items also display the bank's name and location in the bottom-left portion of the item, along with a 1-888 telephone number, which is not associated with the bank. In addition, the bank logo and name appear in the top-center portion of the item. The wording "(Central Ohio)" appears immediately following the bank's name. The counterfeit items contain security wording embedded in the top border.

Authentic official checks display security wording embedded in the top border and on the line beneath the routing number. Authentic checks do not display a telephone number.

A copy of a counterfeit item and a copy of an authentic official check (VOID) are attached for your review.

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

Diane Ness
Central Region Investigations Manager
Fifth Third Bank
5001 Kingsley Dr.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45263
MD 1MOB23
Telephone: (513) 358-0488
Toll-Free: (800) 772-4273
Fax: (513) 358-5214
Diane.ness@53.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