Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name East West Bank are reportedly in circulation

East West Bank, Pasadena, California, 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 322070381, which is assigned to East West Bank. The items include "DATE," "CASHIER'S CHECK," and "PAY TO THE ORDER OF:" on the left side, below the bank's logo and name. An equal housing lender symbol and "MEMBER FDIC" appear in the lower-left corner. "AMOUNT" and "VOID AFTER 6 MONTHS" are printed on the right side. Below two signature lines, in the lower-right corner, is the statement "TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED OVER $20,000.00."

Authentic checks display security statements below the top border. The bank's address and telephone number appear below the bank's logo and name in the upper-left corner. "CASHIER'S CHECK" is centered below the top border. Directly below "Cashier's Check" is a "NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS." "EAST WEST BANK" and "VOID AFTER 90 DAYS" are printed directly above two signature lines. In the lower-right corner, below the two signature lines, is the statement "OVER $15,000 REQUIRES TWO SIGNATURES."

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:

Krishan Sirimane
Vice President
East West Bank
407 W. Valley Boulevard
Alhambra, California 91803
Telephone: (626) 293-3853
Fax: (626) 284-8746
E-mail: ksiriman@eastwestbank.com

Alternate contact:

Frank Espinoza
Assistant Vice President
East West Bank
407 W. Valley Boulevard
Alhambra, California 91803
Telephone: (626) 293-3854
Fax: (626) 284-8746
E-mail: fespinoza@eastwestbank.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