Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name First Century Bank are reportedly in circulation

First Century Bank, Tazewell, Tennessee, 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 display the routing number 064204774, which is assigned to First Century Bank, and are dissimilar to authentic checks. The counterfeit items are printed on burgundy-colored check stock with a marbled background. The bank's name and logo are printed in black and centered below the top border. Security feature descriptions are embedded within the top and bottom borders, which have rounded corners. Printed in the lower-right corner is a telephone number, which is not associated with the bank. Directly above the telephone number is the statement "TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED OVER $25,000.00."

Authentic checks are printed on gray paper with a patterned, basket-weave background. The bank's name and logo are printed in red and centered below the top border. "TENNESSEE BANK SUPPLY" is printed vertically along the left side.

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:

Joyce Love
Internal Auditor and Compliance Officer
First Century Bank
1754 North Broad Street
Tazewell, Tennessee 37879
Phone: (423) 626-7261, Extension 2125
Fax: (423) 626-1773
E-mail: joycelove@fcbtn.com

Alternate contact:

Britt Harris
Security Officer
First Century Bank
1754 North Broad Street
Tazewell, Tennessee 37879
Phone: 423-626-7261, Extension 1129
E-mail: brittharris@fcbtn.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