January 23, 2004 - The FDIC has issued a Special Alert: fraudulent emails being sent to bank customers.  The fraudulent email, which appears to come from the FDIC, informs the recipient that all deposit insurance on their bank accounts has been suspended because of suspected violations of the USA Patriot Act.  The emails attempt to obtain highly sensitive personal information, including bank account information, and  say insurance will resume once the information is provided.

If consumers have received this or similar suspicious emails, they should report information to the FDIC at .

For more information and to access the FDIC's alert, click here: FDIC ALERT.