Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Imperial Capital Bank, Los Angeles, California, are reportedly in circulation

Imperial Capital Bank, La Jolla, 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 322286434, which is assigned to Imperial Capital Bank, but are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display "CASHIER'S CHECK" and "Imperial Capital Bank Treasury Department" in the top center. The following security statement is embedded within the top border: "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A BLUE & BURGUNDY BACKGROUND AND AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK ON THE BACK – HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW." The bank's logo, name, "Branch #155, 3550 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90005" and a telephone number ("213-291-8101"), which is not associated with the bank, are printed in the top-left corner. A box on the right side contains the numerical dollar amount. "Remitter" and "Reference:" are displayed in the lower-left corner. One signature line appears in the lower-right corner.

Authentic checks display the words "Cashier's Check" in the lower-left corner. The security feature statement "This document has a colored background, Copy Shield, Foil Guard, and a backside authentic watermark; absence of these features will indicate a copy" is printed in italics just below the written dollar amount line. A security padlock icon and statement appear above "DOLLARS" on the right side. "Remitter" is displayed in the top-left corner. Two signature lines appear in the lower-right corner.

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:

Deborah K. Davis
1st Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer
Imperial Capital Bank
500 North Brand Boulevard, Suite 2300
Glendale, California 91203
Telephone: (818) 459-7128
E-mail: ddavis@imperialcapitalbank.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