Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Central Pacific Bank, Honolulu, Hawaii, are reportedly in circulation

Central Pacific Bank, Honolulu, Hawaii, 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 122042205, which is assigned to Preferred Bank, Los Angeles, California. Central Pacific Bank issues cashier's checks through a payable-through account at Preferred Bank.

On the counterfeit items, the following security wording is embedded in the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK." "KAHULUI BRANCH" is printed over the logo. A toll-free telephone number, which is not associated with the bank, is displayed below the bank's name.

Authentic cashier's checks display the following security statement across the top of the check: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK PRINTED ON THE BACK. THE FRONT OF THE DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO-PRINT SIGNATURE LINE, AND HOLOGRAM. ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY." In the top portion of the check, below "CASHIER'S CHECK," is a hologram.

Copies of a 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 presented.

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

Kenneth Fujita
Vice President and Security Officer
Central Pacific Bank
P.O. Box 3590
Honolulu, Hawaii 96811-3590
Telephone: (808) 832-1203
Fax: (808) 832-1204

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