Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name CommerceFirst Bank, Annapolis, Maryland, are reportedly in circulation

CommerceFirst Bank, Annapolis, 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 055003366, which is assigned to CommerceFirst Bank. Counterfeit items display a security feature statement embedded in the top border and along the bottom border between two padlocks. The items also have a logo not associated with the bank in the top-left corner, and a telephone number not associated with the bank is shown below the bank's address.

Authentic cashier's checks are golden in color and display the bank's logo, name and address in the top center. A security feature statement is also shown below the dollar amount line, and a padlock icon is displayed on the lower-right side.

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:

Jean J. Barnes
Vice President
CommerceFirst Bank
1804 West Street, Suite 200
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Telephone: (410) 280-6695
Fax: (410) 280-2139
E-mail: jbarnes@commerce1st.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