Counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the name Sandy Spring Bank, Olney, Maryland, are reportedly in circulation

Sandy Spring Bank, Olney, 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 number055001096,which is assigned to Sandy Spring Bank. The items are similar to authentic cashier's checks; however, the items display a security feature statement embedded in a darkened top border and along the bottom border between two padlock icons.

Authentic cashier's checks have ornate top and side borders and display a security feature statement below the top border. A security padlock icon appears above the written amount line on the right side of the authentic checks.

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:

Frank D. Moran
Director of Corporate Security
Sandy Spring Bank
9112 Guilford Road
Columbia, Maryland 21046
Telephone: (301) 774-8485
Fax: (301) 260-3678
E-mail:fmoran@sandyspringbank.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-3054, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically toalert@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 athttp://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.

For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site atwww.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2010/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visitwww.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Sandra L. ThompsonDirector
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection