Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Paragon National Bank, Memphis, Tennessee, are reportedly in circulation

Paragon National Bank, Memphis, 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 122000661, which is assigned to Bank of America, N.A., Richmond, Virginia, but are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display a security statement embedded within the top border. The bank's name and branch address ("5400 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119") are displayed near the upper- left corner. The bank's name, the words "CASHIER'S CHECK," city, state and zip code appear near the upper-center portion. Two rectangular boxes containing the words "Date" and "Amount" are displayed on the right side.

Authentic checks display the routing number 084008947, which is assigned to Paragon National Bank. The bank's logo, name, post office box address ("P.O Box 2022"), city, state, zip code and a telephone number ("901-273-2900") are displayed in the top center. The words "Cashier's Check" are displayed above "Date" and "Branch" in the upper-right corner. A padlock security icon is displayed on the right side and "REMITTER" appears on 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:

Chondrea Black
Credit and Compliance Vice-President
Paragon National Bank
P.O. Box 2022
Memphis, Tennessee 38101
Telephone: (901) 322-0752
Fax: (901) 333-0752
E-mail: chondrea.black@bankparagon.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