SPECIAL ALERT

On March 28, 2002, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) issued an alert about individuals and banks being victimized by a scheme involving online job applications (see FIL-30-2002, dated March 28, 2002, http://www.fdic.gov/news/financial-institution-letters/2002/fil0230.html .) This is to inform you that the FDIC has received responses to that announcement indicating that more individuals and banks are being victimized by the same scheme, and that checks appearing to be drawn on at least one other bank also are being used. The checks bear the name of California Bank and Trust, 465 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94104, as well as the routing number 021001024, which is invalid. A copy of one of the checks is attached for your information. The bank customer's name and the name of the payee have been deleted for privacy protection.

Any information you may have concerning this activity should be immediately reported to the nearest office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The number may be found in your telephone book under U. S. Government, or on FBI's web site at http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm .

Information concerning this activity or similar activity may be forwarded to the FDIC's Special Activities Section, 550 17th Street, NW, Room F-6012, Washington, DC 20429. Information may also be transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov .

For your reference, all FDIC Financial Institution Letters published since January of 1995 may be found on the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov under "News, Events, FOIA." To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Financial Institution Letters through e-mail, please visit http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/announcements/index.html .

Attachment: Not available electronically.

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

NOTE: Paper copies of FDIC financial institution letters may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center, 801 17th Street, NW, Room 100, Washington, DC 20434 (800-276-6003 or (703) 562-2200).