Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name American Bank, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, are reportedly in circulation

American Alliance Bank, Lake City, Minnesota (previously known as American Bank, Eau Claire, Wisconsin) has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's previous name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items include the invalid routing number 092005411 and are not similar to authentic checks. The counterfeit items display "AMERICAN BANK" centered at the top above an Eau Claire, Wisconsin, address. Embedded within the top border is the following statement: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK." In the lower-left corner is the statement: "PAYABLE THROUGH FIRST INTERSTATE BANK HELENA, MT."

Authentic checks include the routing number 122037760, which is assigned to a payable-through account at First Regional Bank, Los Angeles, California. The bank issues cashier's checks through First Regional Bank. The name "AMERICAN ALLIANCE BANK" is centered at the top directly above a Lake City, Minnesota, address. Authentic checks have scroll-pattern borders and security feature descriptions are printed just below the top border.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic 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:

Ann Hartle
Compliance and Security Officer
American Alliance Bank
P.O. Box 308
2728 Mall Drive
Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54702-0308
Telephone: (715) 834-5327
Fax: (715) 834-3818
E-mail: Ann.Hartle@greatbanking.net

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. Thompson
Acting Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection