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

Hanmi Bank, Los Angeles, California, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Pacific Union Bank are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 122234482, which is assigned to Hanmi Bank. Hanmi Bank acquired Pacific Union Bank four years ago. The counterfeit items display a security feature statement embedded in a darkened top border and the name and address for Pacific Union Bank in the top-left corner. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the lower-left corner.

Hanmi Bank no longer issues checks drawn against Pacific Bank. Hanmi Bank's cashier's checks display the routing number 122039399. Authentic checks are pink and have darkened top and bottom borders. The bank's logo, name, address and a toll-free phone number appear in the upper-left corner. A notice to purchasers is displayed in the lower-left 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:

Nancy U. Chong Lee
First Vice President and Operations Manager
Hanmi Bank
3660 Wilshire Boulevard, PH-A
Los Angeles, California 90010
Telephone: (213) 427-4274
Fax: (213) 351-5966
E-mail: nancyc@hanmi.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/2009/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