Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Chevy Chase Bank, Bethesda, Maryland, are reportedly in circulation

Chevy Chase Bank, F.S.B., McLean, Virginia, 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 are reportedly associated with a sweepstakes scam based in Canada.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 255071981, which is assigned to Chevy Chase Bank, FSB, but are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks. The counterfeit items display the following security statement within the top border: "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER." The bottom border contains the following statement: "SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED. DETAILS ON BACK." A padlock icon is printed on each side. The word "Touchstate" appears near the top center.

Authentic checks display the following statement within the top border: "VERIFY COMPLETE LIST OF SECURITY FEATURES LISTED ON BACK OF CHECK." The bottom border contains the following statements: "THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT HAS A REFLECTIVE CHEVY CHASE BANK WATERMARK ON THE BACK. HOLD AT AN ANGLE TO SEE." A white thumb area appears in the top portion with "PATENT#" printed above and "TouchSafe" below. "Non-Negotiable for amounts over $3,000" and "VOID AFTER 90 DAYS" are printed above and below the signature area, respectively. When copied or scanned, the check has a "NON-NEGOTIABLE" background.

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:

Lester Bain
Investigation Services Manager
Chevy Chase Bank, F.S.B.
14601 Sweitzer Lane
Laurel, Maryland 20707
Telephone: (301) 939-6604
Fax: (301) 939-6611
E-mail: ljbain@chevychasebank.net

To report this scam or any other scam based in or mailed from Canada, please contact Phonebusters, which is a joint partnership between the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Phonebusters is interested in receiving copies of scam letters, particularly those involving Canadian mailing addresses or telephone numbers. Records relating to the payment of advance fees should also be forwarded to Phonebusters. This information is used to assist in the strategic targeting of would-be fraudsters. Scam letters should be forwarded to the Phonebusters National Call Center (PNCC) as follows:

Mail: Box 686
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
P1B 8J8Web site: www.phonebusters.comTelephone: +1 (888) 495-8501 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)Fax: +1 (888) 654-9426 (toll-free in Canada and the USA)E-mail: info@phonebusters.comAdvance fee fraud (including Nigerian and lottery letters): wafl@phonebusters.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
Director
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection