Counterfeit checks bearing the name Lakeland Bank, Oak Ridge, New Jersey, are reportedly in circulation

Lakeland Bank, Oak Ridge, New Jersey, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 021205376, which is assigned to Lakeland Bank. The items display a security feature embedded within the top and bottom borders. The bank's name and address are displayed in the top-left corner and in the top center. One signature line is shown in the lower-right corner.

Authentic checks are labeled as "TREASURER'S CHECK" in the lower-left corner and display a padlock icon and security feature on the right side. Authentic treasurer's checks have two signature lines in the lower-right corner.

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:

Peter Romaine
Security Director
Lakeland Bank
250 Oak Ridge Road
Oak Ridge, New Jersey 07438
Telephone: (973) 208-6233
Fax: (973) 697-7519
E-mail: promaine@lakelandbank.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/2009/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. ThompsonDirector
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection