Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Metropolitan National Bank, Little Rock, Arkansas, are reportedly in circulation

Metropolitan National Bank, Little Rock, Arkansas, 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 082001247, which is assigned to Metropolitan National Bank, and are similar to authentic checks. The counterfeit items are printed on green check stock and the border has rounded corners. The following statement is embedded in the top border of counterfeit items: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK."

Authentic checks are printed on light-blue check stock.

Copies of the counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. Be aware that the appearance of counterfeit items can be modified and that additional variations may be produced.

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

Mike Shepard
Security Officer
Metropolitan National Bank
425 W. Capitol Avenue
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Telephone: (501) 377-7635
Fax: (501) 377-7640
E-mail: mshepard@metbank.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