Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Mercantile Southern Maryland Bank, Leonardtown, Maryland, are reportedly in circulation

Mercantile Southern Maryland Bank, Leonardtown, Maryland, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 055001122, which is assigned to Mercantile Southern Maryland Bank. The items have ornate borders and display "CASHIER'S CHECK" inside a rectangle incorporated within the top border. The following security statement is printed below the top border on both sides of the rectangle: "HOLD DOCUMENT TO THE LIGHT TO VIEW TRUE WATERMARK." A "NOTICE TO CUSTOMER" and a toll-free telephone number, which is not associated with the bank, appear near the lower-left corner above the "PURCHASER" line. Above two "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" lines near the lower-right corner is the statement: "TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED OVER $10,000.00."

Authentic checks display the wording "CASHIER'S CHECK" above the lower-left corner. The bank's logo, name, city and state are centered across the top of the check.

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

Paul Reamy
Bank Secrecy Act and Security Officer
Mercantile Southern Maryland Bank
P.O. Box 655
Leonardtown, Maryland 20650
Telephone: (301) 737-3742
Mobile: (443) 624-2065
E-mail: paul.reamy@mercantile.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/2007/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. Thompson
DirectorDivision of Supervision and Consumer Protection