Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Provident Bank are reportedly in circulation

Provident Savings Bank, F.S.B., Riverside, 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 322270518, which is assigned to Provident Savings Bank, F.S.B. The items are similar to authentic cashier's checks; however, a vertical security feature statement is displayed in the right border.

Authentic cashier's checks display a security statement embedded within a darkened top border. The words "CASHIERS CHECK" appear in rectangle with rounded corners below the written dollar amount line.

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:

Sandie Lowe
Corporate Security Officer
Provident Savings Bank, F.S.B.
3756 Central Avenue
Riverside, California 92506
Telephone: (951) 686-6060
Fax: (951) 300-4103
E-mail: slowe@myprovident.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. ThompsonDirector
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection