FRAUD ALERT!

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is alerting banks that some
of their customers may be the unwitting subjects of a new fraud scheme that
uses fictitious IRS forms and fraudulent bank correspondence. Samples of the
fictitious documents may be found at
http://www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/alert/2002-3a.pdf and
http://www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/alert/2002-3b.pdf.

According to the FDIC, the documents are being circulated nationwide to customers of banks of all sizes in an attempt to steal a customer's identity and money by having the
customer disclose personal and banking information. When the perpetrator of the fraud contacts the customer's bank in person, by telephone or through electronic means, he or she has all the necessary customer information to appear credible. Customers who have completed and returned the fictitious form via the fax number, mail service or any other means are being advised to promptly notify all financial institutions with which they do business.

Other suggestions include:

1. Having customers contact the fraud department of each of the
   following three major credit bureaus and report that their identities have
   been stolen. They should also consider placing a "fraud alert" on their
   files and request that no new credit be granted without prior approval.
   Equifax: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241,
   Order Credit Report: 1-800-685-1111, Report Fraud: 1-800-525-6285
   Experian: P.O. Box 2104, Allen, TX 75013,
   Order Credit Report: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742), Report Fraud: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
   Trans Union: 760 Sproul Road, P.O. Box 390, Springfield, PA 19064,
   Order Credit Report: 1-800-916-8800, Report Fraud: 1-800-680-72892.
2. For any accounts that have been fraudulently accessed or opened, the
   customers should contact the security department of each affected creditor
   or financial institution. The customers should consider closing these
   accounts. On any new accounts the customers open, they should consider using
   a password, but not their mothers' maiden names.
3. The customers should file a report with their local police
   department or the police where the identity theft took place, if known. They
   should retain a copy of the police report in the event that their bank,
   credit card company or others need proof of the crime at a later date.
4. The customers should contact the IRS to report the incident using
   the following toll-free hotline number: 1-800-829-0433.

   
   Kleinrock Publishing
   April 30, 2002