Counterfeit expense checks bearing the name GBC International Bank, Los Angeles, California, are reportedly in circulation

GBC International Bank, Los Angeles, California, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit expense checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 122235902, which is assigned to GBC International Bank. The items have ornate borders on all sides with a security feature statement embedded within the top border. The words "PAY TO THE ORDER OF" are in the lower-left corner.

Authentic checks have blue top and side borders. The word "PAYEE" is displayed 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:

Richard Holmes
Senior Vice President
Chief Financial Officer and Security Officer
GBC International Bank
168 West Garvey Avenue
Monterey Park, California 91754
Telephone: (626) 243-1186
Fax: (626) 573-6606
E-mail: rholmes@gbcib.com

Alternate Contact:

Elaine Leung
Vice President – Central Operations
GBC International Bank
1355 Stockton Street
San Francisco, California 94133
Telephone: (415) 392-0900, ext. 8311
Fax: (415) 392-3220
E-mail: eleung@gbcib.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-3054, 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