| Subject: |
Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks |
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| Description:
|
American Bank of Texas, N.A. |
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| Date: November 14,
2006
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| TO: |
Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks; All State Banking Authorities; Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Director, Office of Thrift Supervision; Conference of State Bank Supervisors; Deputy Comptrollers (districts); Assistant Deputy Comptrollers; District Counsel; and All Examining Personnel
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| |
|
| RE: |
Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of American Bank of Texas, N.A., Marble Falls, TX
The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier’s checks issued in the bank’s name and using a correct routing number of 051900353 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a lottery scam. While the counterfeit checks are
very similar to the authentic items, counterfeit instruments
may be identified by the following traits: the checks are
green in color and contain the word “Texas” in the upper-left
corner of the check in lieu of a branch identification number.
The instruments may contain one of the following statements in
the top border of the item: “For security purposes, the face
of this document contains a colored background and microprinting
in the border.” or “The face of this document
has a colored background on white paper and original document security screen
on back with a padlock security icon.” The following
statement may appear along the bottom border of
the item: “The reverse side of this document includes a unique check identity uar code and an artificial watermark – hold at angle to view.” The signature area is enclosed in a rectangular-shaped box with rounded corners, and is followed by the words: “Issuer Accepts as Drawer/Drawee.” Items presented to date have been
made payable in the amount of $2,950, contain a 6-digit serial
number beginning
with the series of “127”, are signed by either Mark W. Few or Clive Ward, contain varying purchaser names, and are dated Nov 7, 2006. Victims of the lottery scam have
received the counterfeit items via US Postal Service.
Correspondence accompanying the checks may contain the
letterhead of “Gamebookers Casino, Old Anjo Insurance
Building, Lower Long Street, St. John’s, Antigua &
Barbuda” and include a signature of both Busman Oliver and
Cynthia Stone. Recipients are informed of their winning status
in the 2006 Thanksgiving Sweepstakes monthly International
Promotions Program draw. The recipient is requested to keep his or
her winnings confidential and informed that he or she must
deposit the enclosed check into his or her
bank account immediately
to pay for processing insurance and international taxes. The letter further states that the recipient is to call his or her claim representative, Sandra Mayweather, at 1-204-952-5286 (a Canadian telephone number).
For additional information and guidance and to verify
the authenticity of cashier’s checks issued by American Bank
of Texas, N.A., please contact Rhanda Boatwright, Assistant Vice President of Operations,
418 Hwy 281, Marble Falls, TX 78654, by telephone at (830) 693-3676, by fax at (830) 693-6893, or via e-mail at [rboatwright@abtexasna.com].
Additional information concerning this matter that you believe should be brought to the attention of the OCC may be forwarded to:
|
E-mail: |
occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov |
|
Mail: |
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Special Supervision Division, MS 6-4
250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20219
|
|
Fax: |
(202) 874-5214 |
|
Internet: |
http://www.occ.treas.gov |
For
additional information regarding other types of financial fraud, please visit
the OCC’s anti-fraud resource at:
http://www.occ.gov/fraudresources.htm
.
/signed/
Richard C. Stearns
Director for Enforcement & Compliance
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