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

Commonwealth Business Bank, Los Angeles, 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 122043864, which is assigned to Commonwealth Business Bank. The items are markedly dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The words "CASHIERS CHECK" are centered below the top border. The bank's name and an incorrect address ("5455 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 2100") appear to the left of a logo that is not associated with the bank in the top-left corner. The word "MEMO" is in the lower-left corner and a security padlock icon is along the right border. One signature line is in the lower-right corner.

Authentic cashier's checks display the routing number 122042205, which is assigned to Preferred Bank, Los Angeles, California. Commonwealth Business Bank issues its cashier's checks through Preferred Bank, Los Angeles, California. The bank's name, logo (a darkened box containing initials "cbb"), correct address ("5055 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 840"), and telephone number are in the top-center area. The words "Cashier's Check" and "PAYABLE THROUGH PREFERRED BANK, LOS ANGELES, CA" are in the lower-left corner. Two signature lines are 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:

Jasmine Kim
First Vice President and Operations Administrator
Commonwealth Business Bank
5055 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 840
Los Angeles, California 90036
Telephone: (323) 988-3010
Fax: (323) 988-3001
E-mail: jasmine@cwbbank.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/2010/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