Counterfeit official checks bearing the name First Heritage Bank, Seattle, Washington, are reportedly in circulation

First Heritage Bank, Snohomish, Washington, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit official checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 125107875, which is assigned to First Heritage Bank. The items also display the words "OFFICIAL CHECK" at the top center. The bank's logo, name, and a Seattle, Washington, address are printed in the lower-left corner.

First Heritage Bank uses two different types of authentic checks. One version displays the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the lower-left corner, and another official check displays "Cashier's Check" in the top-right corner. Both versions display the bank's logo and name at the top center.

Copies of a counterfeit item and one of the authentic checks (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:

Kelly van Valey
Vice President/Retail Banking Officer
First Heritage Bank
167 Lincoln Avenue
P.O. Box 550
Snohomish, Washington 98291-0550
Phone: (360) 568-0536
Fax: (360) 568-0543
E-mail: customerservice@firstheritage.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/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