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

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has received inquiries from foreign financial institutions, foreign offices of domestic financial institutions, and citizens of other countries who have received a faxed message claiming to be sent by the FDIC. The fraudulent message sent with Form F 91-11.01 indicates that the "FDIC money laundering and anti-terrorism joint Task Force Security" is requesting financial account and investment information regarding accounts maintained in financial institutions and investment banks in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union member countries. The faxed message states that failure to comply may result in civil and criminal penalties, including the freezing of accounts, cancellation of visas, forfeiture of assets, or fines. The message alleges to be from Robert Smith of the FDIC. The fraudulent form, F 91-11.01, "Report of Foreign Bank and Securities Accounts," is not an official FDIC form.

The FDIC does not solicit customer information from foreign financial institutions and citizens. The form is an attempt to obtain access to foreign financial institution accounts. Therefore, financial institutions and citizens of other countries should NOT, under any circumstance, provide account information to these unknown sources.

Distribution: All insured institutions and U.S. Embassies

NOTE: Paper copies of FDIC Special Alerts may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (1-877-275-3342 or (703) 562-2200).