Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Commercial Bank of Florida, Miami, Florida, are reportedly in circulation

Special Alerts

SA-218-2006
August 1, 2006

TO: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (also of interest to Security Officer)SUBJECT: Counterfeit Cashier's Checks Summary: Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Commercial Bank of Florida, Miami, Florida, are reportedly in circulation.

Commercial Bank of Florida, Miami, Florida, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 066010377, which is assigned to Commercial Bank of Florida, but are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks in appearance. The counterfeit items are light blue with dark blue borders, and they display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top center below a security features statement. An image copied from the bank's Web site appears in the top-left corner above the bank's address and a telephone number, which is not associated with the bank. "Remitter:" is printed in the lower-left corner.

Authentic cashier's checks display the words "Cashier's Check" in the lower-left corner. The bank's logo and name appear in the top center. The bank's name is underlined and "MIAMI, FLORIDA" is printed below it. Authentic checks have a green herringbone pattern with black borders and print. A "NOTICE TO CUSTOMER" appears in the upper-left corner above a "REMITTER" field.

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

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

Ralph E. Coman
Vice President
Commercial Bank of Florida
10899 SW Sunset Drive
Miami, Florida 33173
Phone: (305) 270-7167
Fax: (305) 274-2574
E-mail: rcoman@commercialbankfl.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 Web site 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