Counterfeit official checks bearing the name OptimumBank, Plantation, Florida, are reportedly in circulation

OptimumBank, Plantation, Florida, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit official checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 067015096, which is assigned to OptimumBank. The counterfeit items are similar to authentic official checks; however, the counterfeit items display the "DATE" twice, and the embossed dollar amount in the center area is written.

Authentic official checks have a light brown background with dark brown borders. The checks have an embossed numeric dollar amount in the center and a watermark on the back.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic check (VOID) are attached for your review. Please 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:

Cheryl Folino
Vice President and Branch Manager
OptimumBank
10197 Cleary Boulevard
Plantation, Florida 33324
Telephone: (954) 452-9501 extension 800
Fax: (954) 452-9508
E-mail: clfolino@optimumbank.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/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