Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name American Metro Bank, Chicago, Illinois, are reportedly in circulation

American Metro Bank, Chicago, Illinois, 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 071025645, which is assigned to American Metro Bank. The items are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display a security feature statement embedded within the top border. The words "CASHIER CHECK" are printed near the top center. The statement "ISSUED BY INTEGRATED PAYMENT SYSTEMS INC." is below the written dollar amount line and "Memo" is in the bottom-left corner.

Authentic checks display the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top-right corner. The bank's logo, name, two locations, telephone and fax numbers, and the word "REMITTER" appear in the top-left corner. The checks are blue and have a "VOID" background when copied.

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:

Bill McGrath
Vice President and Cashier
American Metro Bank
4878 North Broadway Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60640
Telephone: (773) 769-6868, extension 5030
Fax: (773) 769-6288
E-mail: billm@americanmetrobank.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