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Alert 2009-21 | December 9, 2009
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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
The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier's checks issued in the bank's name and using a correct routing number of 081507425 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a sweepstakes scam.
The counterfeit checks resemble the bank's authentic items but may be identified by the following traits: the instruments are blue in color and include the following security statement in the top border: "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER." The following security statement is printed in the bottom border between two padlock icons: "SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED, DETAILS ON BACK." The verbiage above the signature lines indicate that two signatures are required for checks over $5,000. The words "Cashiers Check" are located in the top center portion of the instrument, are printed in black ink, and are missing appropriate punctuation. The endorsement line on the back of the check contains "Do Not Write/Sign/Stamp" verbiage and has spacing for two signatures.
Items presented to date have been made payable in the amounts of $4,975 and $4,975.75 and contain a remitter name of "John Snow."
Due to possible variations between the appearance of the bank's authentic items and the counterfeit items associated with the scam, officials of First National Bank suggest they be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank's cashier's checks if received by an unknown entity.
Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit checks may contain the letterhead of "Water Web Financial Services UK, 5548 Gateway Blvd, London, United Kingdom, Tel: 1-778-321-6692." The correspondence informs the recipient that he or she has been selected as a winner in a sweepstakes drawing. The letter states that the enclosed check is to be used to pay the applicable Government Service Tax for non-United Kingdom residents (GST). Recipients are advised to contact claims agent Edward Wright or Tracy Gold at 1-778-321-6692.
For additional information and guidance, and to verify the authenticity of First National Bank's cashier's checks, please contact Jimmy Laughlin or Debbie Franklin, 117 N. Business Rt. 5, P.O. Box 138, Camdenton, MO 65020, by telephone at (573) 346-3311, Ext 146 or 162, by fax at (573) 346-0114, or via email at either [jlaughlin@fnb-lakeozarks.com] or [dfranklin@fnb-lakeozarks.com].
Consumers who receive counterfeit or fictitious items and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:
Additional information concerning this matter that should be brought to the attention of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) may be forwarded to
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Special Supervision Division 400 7th St. SW, Suite 3E-218; MS 8E-12 Washington, DC 20219 Phone: (202) 649-6450 Fax: (571) 293-4925 www.occ.gov occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov
For additional information regarding other types of financial fraud, please visit the OCC's anti-fraud resources page.
/signed/
Richard C. Stearns Director for Enforcement & Compliance
