Counterfeit official checks drawn on First Community Bank, Chatom, Alabama, are reportedly in circulation

First Community Bank, Chatom, Alabama, 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 096016765, which is assigned to US Bank, St. Paul, Minnesota. First Community Bank issues official checks through US Bank, St. Paul, Minnesota. The counterfeit items also display a logo of a building between the words "FIRST" and "COMMUNITY" in the top-center portion of the item. Security wording is embedded in the top border.

Authentic official checks display a logo consisting of computerized people standing in front of a pine tree between the words "FIRST" and "COMMUNITY." Authentic official checks also display security wording along the top of the check, which is not embedded in the border.

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:

Patrick Hoffman
Security Officer
First Community Bank
P.O. Box 478
Citronelle, Alabama 36522
Telephone: (251) 866-7327
Fax: (251) 866-9458
E-mail: pat.hoffman@fcb-al.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