Alert 2005-17 | October 12, 2005

Counterfeit Cashier's Checks: Counterfeit and Stolen Expense Checks of American Bank, N.A. Stolen Trust and Asset Management Checks of American Bank, N.A.

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 and stolen Expense Checks as well as stolen Trust and Asset Management checks issued in the bank’s name and using the bank’s correct routing number, 114903284, are being presented for payment nationwide.

While the counterfeit expense checks are quite similar to the authentic items, the counterfeit checks may be identified by the following: The checks have a solid blue background with a dark banner across the top, which includes a notice that:“This document has a colored background and microprinting. The reverse side includes an artificial watermark.” The bank’s flag logo appears in red, white, and blue; however, all other printed wording on the counterfeit checks appears in black.

Authentic expense checks issued by the bank have a blue marbled background. While the American Bank flag logo is red, white, and blue, the check number is printed in red and the bank’s name and address are printed in blue, as are the words “Expense Check.” All other printed wording appears in black.

The stolen trust and asset management checks are deep red and blue multi-toned in color with a black American Bank flag logo. All other printed wording appears in black, and the check contains a watermark statement “Check + Plus.” The payee, amount, and date have been altered.

You can verify the authenticity of American Bank, N.A. checks by contacting either Gayla Kelly, fraud investigations officer, at (361) 653-5271, by fax at (361) 991-0084, and by email at gkelly@americanbank.com, or Melanie Buchi, risk review analyst, at (361) 653-5229, by fax at (361) 991-0084 and by email at mbuchi@americanbank.com. Both are located at PO Box 6469, Corpus Christi, TX 78466-6469.

Additional information concerning this matter that you believe should be brought to the attention of the OCC may be forwarded to:

Email:	occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov
Mail:	Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Enforcement & Compliance Division, MS 8-10 250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20219
Fax:	(202) 874-5301
Internet:	https://www.occ.gov

Brian C. McCormally
Director for Enforcement & Compliance

Topic(s):

Counterfeit/Stolen Instruments