Alert 2005-29 | December 5, 2005

Counterfeit Cashier's Checks: Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of Anchor Bank, West St. Paul N.A., West St. Paul, MN

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 096015232 are being presented for payment.

The counterfeit checks may be identified by the following: a standard check stock that is solid burgundy in color with a ribboned border. The bank’s name is printed in the top-center portion of the check followed by the bank’s correct address but incorrect telephone number of: 1-866-804-1810. The following statement appears inside of the top border: “THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLOURED BACKGROUND AND HIGH RESOLUTION BORDER. SEE REVERSE FOR ADDITIONAL SECURITY FEATURES.” All checks are dated 11/21/2005, show the remitter as CRMP, are made payable in the amount of $3,450.00, are drawn on an incorrect account number of 0423023, include a facsimile Authorized Signature of Jack A. Dill, and display one of the following serial numbers: 940344, 940364, or 940366. The words “CASHIER’S CHECK” appear in the lower-left corner of the instrument. All printed items on the check are black in color with the exception of the serial number, which appears in red.

Authentic cashier’s checks issued by the bank are blue in color with a marbled background and a solid blue border. The bank’s name, logo, four branch addresses and telephone numbers appear in the top-center portion of the check. The words “CASHIER’S CHECK” appear in the lower-left corner of the instrument followed by the following indemnity bond language: “THE PURCHASE OF AN INDEMNITY BOND WILL BE REQUIRED BEFORE ANY CASHIER’S CHECK OF THIS BANK WILL BE REPLACED OR REFUNDED IN THE EVENT IT IS LOST, MISPLACED OR STOLEN.” Micro printing appears in the bottom border of the check, and all printed items on the check are black in color.

You can verify the authenticity of Anchor Bank, West St. Paul N.A.’s cashier’s checks by contacting Don Kottke, internal review manager, at 66 E. Thompson Avenue, West St. Paul, MN 55118, by telephone at (952) 808-8032, or via email at [Don_Kottke@anchorlink.com].

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