Each depositor insured to at least $250,000 per insured bank

Fifth Third Bank, Cincinnati, Ohio, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit official checks display the routing number 042101190, which is assigned to Fifth Third Bank. Different variations of counterfeit items are in circulation, most of which are associated with lottery and work-from-home scams.

Authentic official checks display security wording embedded in the top border and on the line beneath the routing number. The checks also display a reflective watermark that can be seen by holding the check at an angle.

Be aware that counterfeit American Express travelers checks bearing the Fifth Third Bank's name are also in circulation. Most of the counterfeit traveler's checks are in denominations of $500.00, which are not issued by the bank.

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Fifth Third Bank
Bank Protection Services
Telephone: 1-800-676-5869
E-mail: 53investigation@security.53.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.

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

Note: Paper copies of FDIC Special Alerts may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center, 1-877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200).