Counterfeit checks bearing the name Pacific Trust Bank, Chula Vista, California, are reportedly in circulation

Pacific Trust Bank, FSB, Chula Vista, California, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

Counterfeit items display the routing number 322274527, which is assigned to Pacific Trust Bank. Counterfeit items are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. Counterfeit items include the bank's name in the upper-left corner with "PAY" and "TO THE ORDER OF" fields centered in the middle. Additionally, two rectangular boxes labeled "Check Date" and "Check Amount" are printed in the upper-right corner.

Authentic checks display the routing number 122042205, which is assigned to Preferred Bank, Los Angeles, California. Pacific Trust Bank issues cashier's checks through a Preferred Bank account. Authentic checks display the bank's name and a sunburst logo in the upper-left corner with "CASHIER'S CHECK" centered below the top border. The following security statement is embedded within the top border: "WARNING: THIS CHECK HAS SECURITY FEATURES, SEE DETAILS ON BACK."

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:

Laura Larson
Compliance Officer and Internal Auditor
Pacific Trust Bank
610 Bay Boulevard
Chula Vista, California 91910
Telephone: (619) 498-0081, ext 4470
Fax: (619) 446-6206
E-mail: LauraLarson@pacifictrustbank.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/2007/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