Counterfeit cashier's checks and official checks bearing the name Provident Bank are reportedly in circulation

Provident Bank of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks and official checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

Counterfeit items display the routing number 096016765, which is assigned to U.S. Bank, St. Paul, Minnesota. Provident Bank of Maryland issues official checks through a Moneygram Payment Systems, Inc., account at U.S. Bank.

There are currently two versions of counterfeit items identified. Both versions have the bank's logo and name printed in the top-left corner. The first version is light blue-green with blue double-lined borders on the top and sides. "CASHIER'S CHECK" is printed inside a blue rectangular box that is embedded within the top border. The second version is light green with dark-green borders at the top and bottom. "OFFICIAL CHECK" is printed in black below the top border. Descriptions of security features are embedded within the top and bottom borders.

Authentic checks are light blue with blue double-lined borders. The bank's name and logo are printed in black in the upper-left corner. "OFFICIAL CHECK" is embedded inside a pale-blue rectangular box that is embedded within the top border.

Copies of both counterfeit items 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:

Sandra Lewis
Fraud Investigator
Provident Bank
114 Lexington Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Phone: (410) 277-7222
Fax: (410) 277-2768
E-mail: SHLewis@provbank.com

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other counterfeit 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
Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection