Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name First Mutual Savings Bank, Bellevue, Washington, are reportedly in circulation

First Mutual Bank, Bellevue, Washington, 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 325171232, which is assigned to First Mutual Bank, but are dissimilar to authentic official checks. The counterfeit items display "CASHIER'S CHECK" near the top center. The following security statement is displayed within a darkened top border: "THE DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK." "FIRST MUTUAL SAVINGS BANK, 10001 NE 8th St, Bellevue, WA 98004" appears in the top-left corner.

First Mutual Bank issues official checks, rather than cashier's checks. Authentic checks display the routing number 122042205, which is a payable-through account issued by Travelers Express Company, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, and drawn on Preferred Bank, Los Angeles, California. The items have ornate blue borders on three sides and display the words "OFFICIAL CHECK" inside a green rectangle that is incorporated within the top border and between the following security statements: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK PRINTED ON THE BACK. THE FRONT OF THE DOCUMENT" and "HAS A MICRO-PRINT SIGNATURE LINE AND BORDER. ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE A COPY." The bank's logo, name, P.O. Box, city, state and zip code appear in the top-left corner. A security feature statement is displayed within the bottom blue border.

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:

Marta H. Reed
Executive Project Coordinator
First Mutual Savings Bank
400 108th Avenue, North East
Bellevue, Washington 98004
Telephone: (425) 453-5301, extension 119
Fax: (425) 453-5302
E-mail: marta.reed@firstmutual.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