Each depositor insured to at least $250,000 per insured bank

Gardiner Savings Institution, FSB, Gardiner, Maine, has contacted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit treasurer checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 211272465, which is assigned to Gardiner Savings Institution, FSB, and are similar to authentic items in appearance. However, the embossed dollar amounts on the counterfeit items are printed using red ink. Small lines in the background of the counterfeit items disappear when photocopied, and a watermark on the reverse side of the counterfeit items is printed on the paper in a light gray ink.

Authentic checks have embossed dollar amounts printed using black ink, and the watermark on the reverse side of authentic items is embedded within the paper stock.

Copies of a counterfeit item and an authentic treasurer 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:

Frederick P. Cunningham
Senior Vice President, Compliance
Gardiner Savings Institution, FSB
4 University Drive
Augusta, Maine 04330
Phone (207) 582-5550, extension 6211
Fax (207) 623-7833
E-mail: fcunningham@gardinersavings.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/2007/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)