First United Bank & Trust, Oakland, Maryland, 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 102000979, which is payable through JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., Denver, Colorado. First United Bank & Trust issues official checks through Integrated Payment Systems, Inc., Englewood, Colorado, payable through JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., Denver, Colorado. The counterfeit items are not similar to authentic cashier's checks in appearance. The counterfeit items are printed on check stock that fades from green to blue, and they include a red logo next to the bank's name, city, state and zip code in the top-center portion of the items.

Authentic official checks display the words "My Bank!" above the bank's logo, name, city, state and zip code, and all are printed in black text in the top-center portion of the checks. The words "OFFICIAL CHECK" are printed in a box embedded in the top border. Authentic checks are blue and have ornate borders along the top and sides. A padlock symbol appears in the lower right.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic official check (VOID) are attached for your review. Be aware that the appearance of counterfeit items may be modified and that additional variations are possible.

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Barbara A. Sweitzer
Security Officer
First United Bank & Trust
19 South Second Street
Oakland, Maryland 21550
Phone: (301) 533-2348
Fax: (301) 334-6180
E-mail: basweitzer@mybankfirstunited.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. Information 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 Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2006/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Attachment (not available electronically)

NOTE: As a security precaution, the FDIC does not post to its Web site electronic images of fraudulent items or authentic checks that have been counterfeited. This is to avoid attempts by others to use these instruments to facilitate additional fraud. Financial institutions can view images of the fraudulent items and authentic checks (marked as VOID) using the FDIC's free, secure Web site, FDICconnect. (See more information about FDICconnect at http://www.fdic.gov/news/news/financial/2006/fil06032.html.) Printed copies of each Special Alert and its attachment(s) may also be obtained from the FDIC's Public Information Center (telephone: 1-877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200; fax: 703-562-2296; or e-mail: publicinfo@fdic.gov).

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)