Fraudulent official checks bearing the name Harrison Bank, Arlington, Texas, are reportedly in circulation

Towne Bank of Arizona, Mesa, Arizona, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that fraudulent official checks bearing the institution's routing number and the name Harrison Bank, Arlington, Texas (non-existent bank), are in circulation.

The fraudulent items display the routing number 122106031, which is assigned to Towne Bank of Arizona, are not similar to authentic checks. The fraudulent items display the words "OFFICIAL CHECK" vertically along the left side. An "HB" logo, the bank name ("Harrison Bank"), and the location ("Arlington, Texas") appear in the top-center portion of the fraudulent items.

Authentic checks from Towne Bank of Arizona display the routing number 122042205, which is assigned to a payable-through account at Preferred Bank, Los Angeles, California. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are printed in the top center of authentic checks below an embossed foil hologram containing the words "Prime Link." The bank's name and telephone number appear in the top-left corner, and a watermark with the words "Check Protect" appears on the reverse side.

Copies of a fraudulent items and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. Be aware that the appearance of fraudulent 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 C. Coplen
Senior Vice President
Risk Management & Compliance
Towne Bank of Arizona
3156 East Baseline Road
Mesa, Arizona 85204
Phone: (480) 346-7550
Direct Phone: (480) 346-7553
Fax: (480) 346-7569
E-mail: kcoplen@townebankaz.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. Thompson
Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection