Counterfeit checks bearing the name First National Bank, Carlsbad, California, are reportedly in circulation

First National Bank, Rancho Santa Fe, California, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the bank's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 122238938, which is assigned to First National Bank and is used for bill payment checks. The counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic bill payment checks. The following statement is embedded in the top border on counterfeit items: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK." Counterfeit items display a table with four columns that are labeled "REFERENCE NO.," "DATE," "CHECK NO.," and "AMOUNT." Additionally, a tracking code is included to the left of the table.

Authentic checks include "BILL PAYMENT CHECK" in block letters centered at the top. The bank's logo consisting of an eagle's head is displayed to the left of the bank's name in the top-left corner.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic bill payment check (VOID) are attached for your review.

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

Doug Thompson
Senior Vice President Operations Administrator
First National Bank
3821 Calle Fortunada, Suite D
San Diego, California 92123
Telephone: (858) 522-5343
Fax: (858) 541-0741
Email: dothompson@banksandiego.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