Alert 2004-13 | July 14, 2004

Counterfeit Financial Instruments: Crown Bank, N.A., Ocean City, N.J.

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; Conference of State Bank Supervisors; Deputy Comptrollers (districts); Assistant Deputy Comptrollers; District Counsel and Examining Personnel

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has been advised that counterfeit money orders of Crown Bank, N.A., are being issued nationwide and are also being used in connection with a pre-payment fraud scheme. The pre-payment fraud is the type in which the counterfeit money order is being issued as a pre-arranged COD payment on delivered merchandise. The merchandise is typically ordered via the Internet from companies located nationwide.

The counterfeit money orders are of medium quality, display Crown Bank's "crown" logo, and list an address of 212-216 S. Franke Rodgers Blvd., Harrison NJ 07029. The bank’s routing number is correctly listed but the serial number series, 70009900, is higher than that of the bank’s legitimate money orders.

Any questions or information that you may have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Mr. Richard F. Cottrell, Assistant Vice President
Crown Bank, N.A.
715 Route 70, P.O. Box 130
Brick, NJ 08723
Phone: (732) 451-9000, ext 503
Fax: (732) 262-8792

Questions regarding this alert may be directed to the undersigned at:

Fax: (202) 874-5301 or
Email: occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov

Brian C. McCormally
Director,
Enforcement & Compliance Division

Topic(s):

Counterfeit/Stolen Instruments