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Alert 2007-40 | June 21, 2007

Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks: Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of Oshkosh Bank, a Branch of The American National Bank of Beaver Dam, WI

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

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier's checks issued in the bank's name and using a correct routing number of 075901516 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a lottery scam.

The counterfeit checks resemble the authentic items but may be identified by the following: the instruments are green in color and contain the following security statement in the top border: "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A COLORED BORDER AND Background PLUS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT WATERMARK ON THE BACK. HOLD AT AN ANGLE TO VIEW." The following statement follows the second authorized signature line: "SIGNATURE AREA CONTAINS..." The counterfeit items are missing the following features on the face of the check: the bank's sailboat logo, the wording "A Division of the American National Bank," and the security padlock icon above the "Authorized Signatures" lines. In addition, the counterfeit items do not include the heat-sensitive icon on the back of the instrument.

Items presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $3,750.00, include a remitter name of Karen Berger, and contain a photocopied signature of bank employee Leah McPheron. Due to possible variations in appearance of the counterfeit items, bank officials are encouraged to contact The American National Bank of Beaver Dam to verify the authenticity of the item that is being presented.

Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit items may contain the letterhead of "Odyssey Gaming Corporation, Sponsor: Readers Digest, Publishers Clearing House and Online Games, 15 Lindberg Bay, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802." The letter alerts the recipient that he or she is the winner of an unclaimed prize and instructs the recipient to contact claims agent Mr. Robert Bell at 1-705-770-3985 by a specific date or the money will be forfeited. Note that this is number originates in Canada. The letter further states that the enclosed check is to be used "...to pay for the applicable taxes on the winnings..." and that the amount is to be paid using either Moneygram or Western Union. The letter may be signed by Clyde Conner, Promotion Manager.

For additional information and guidance, please contact Mark Heuer, Security Officer, 115 Front Street, Beaver Dam, WI 53916, by telephone at (920) 885-2705, by fax at (920) 885-2709, or via email at [mheuer@anbnet.com].

Consumers who receive counterfeit or fictitious items and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:

  • U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General (OIG): by telephone at (800) 359-3898 or by visiting the OIG website.
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC): by telephone at (877) FTC-HELP or, for filing a complaint electronically, via the FTC's website.
  • National Consumers League (NCL): by telephone at (202) 835-3323 or by email. To file a fraud complaint, visit the NCL fraud website.
  • Better Business Bureau (BBB): The BBB system serves markets throughout Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United States and is the marketplace leader in advancing trust between businesses and consumers. The website offers contact information for local BBBs, objective reports on more than 2 million businesses, consumer scam alerts, and tips on a wide variety of topics that help consumers find trustworthy businesses and make wise purchasing decisions.
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (to report scams that may have originated via the internet).
  • If correspondence is received via the U.S. Postal Service, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service by telephone at (888) 877-7644; by mail at U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General, Operations Support Group, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL 60606-6100; or via the online complaint form.

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