Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name First National Bank of Gwinnett, Duluth, Georgia, are reportedly in circulation

First National Bank of Gwinnett, Duluth, Georgia, 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 are reportedly associated with a job scam and accompanied by letters originating from Canada.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 061119927, which is assigned to First National Bank of Gwinnett. The items, which are dissimilar to authentic official checks, display "CASHIER'S CHECK" below the bank's name, location and a telephone number, which is not associated with the bank, in the upper-left corner. Security statements are embedded within the top and bottom borders. On the right side of the counterfeit items, two "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" lines are displayed preceded by the word "PER." The word "REMITTER" is displayed in the lower-left corner. A security padlock symbol is incorporated within the right border.

First National Bank of Gwinnett, Duluth, Georgia, issues official checks, as designated in the upper-right corner of the check, rather than cashier's checks. Below the words "Official Check" are "DATE:" and "BRANCH." The bank's "FNBG" logo, name, address and telephone number and the words "MEMBER FDIC" are centered at the top of the checks. Incorporated within the right border are the statements "SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED. 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:

Ken Gurovich
Vice President and Bank Security Act and Fraud Officer
Georgia Bank & Trust Bancshares (First National Bank of Gwinnett affiliate)
1480 Jesse Jewel Parkway
Gainesville, Georgia 30501
Telephone: (678) 989-1453
Fax: (770) 297-6202
E-mail: kgurovich@gbt.com

To report this scam or any other scam based in or mailed from Canada, please contact Phonebusters, which is a joint partnership between the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Phonebusters is interested in receiving copies of scam letters, particularly those involving Canadian mailing addresses or telephone numbers. Records relating to the payment of advance fees should also be forwarded to Phonebusters. This information is used to assist in the strategic targeting of would-be fraudsters. Scam letters should be forwarded to the Phonebusters National Call Center (PNCC) as follows:

Mail: Box 686
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
P1B 8J8Web site: www.phonebusters.comTelephone: +1 (888) 495-8501 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)Fax: +1 (888) 654-9426 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)E-mail: info@phonebusters.comAdvance fee fraud (including Nigerian and lottery letters): wafl@phonebusters.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. Questions 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
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection