Alert 2006-37 | July 20, 2006

Counterfeit Cashier's Checks: Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of Quantum National Bank, Suwanee, GA

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 061104893 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a lottery scam.

The counterfeit items are light blue in color with multiple-color woven threads throughout and a checkmark patterned background. The bank’s logo is printed in blue and red ink in the upper-left corner of the instrument, the words “CASHIER’S CHECK” appear in the top-center area, and a security phrase is located along the top border. Items presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $3,862.56; include a date of “JUL 12, 2006;” and show the “Purchased by” name as either C.M.F.Ser. or C.C.F.T. Service.

Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit items contains the letterhead of “CONSUMERS CHOICE FINANCIAL TRUST & PAYMENT INC., PRIZE AND AWARD PRESENTATION INTERNATIONAL CLAIM DEPARTMENT, Sweepstakes and Internet Games Payment Verification Centre. No address is associated with this entity. The letters, which are signed by Wendy Phillips, Payment Officer, notify the recipient of their winning status and explain that the enclosed check was sent as a “…prepayment to assist you with expediting the payment of the mandatory surcharge and processing fees.” Recipients are instructed to contact the account agent immediately at 1(866) 856-7036 in order to obtain authorization and further instructions.

For additional information and guidance, please contact Ronna Brown, Vice President of Operations, Quantum National Bank, 505 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Suwanee, GA 30024, by telephone at (770) 831-2624, by fax at (678) 889-4530, or via email at [rbrown@quantumbank.com].

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

For additional information regarding other types of financial fraud, please visit the OCC's anti-fraud resource page.

/signed/

Daniel P. Stipano
Deputy Chief Counsel

Topic(s):

Consumer Protection