Alert 2006-53 | September 25, 2006

Counterfeit Money Orders: Counterfeit Money Orders of American State Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Great Bend, Kansas

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 money orders issued in the bank’s name and using a correct routing number of 101114947 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with various overpayment scams.

Counterfeit items may be identified by the following traits: Items presented to date contain varying serial numbers and dates; however, all have been payable in the amount of $12,000, with the embossed amount on the items shown as “***$12.000***,” the remitter appears as “Sandi Edward,” and the bank’s information appearing in the lower-left corner is presented as "American State Bank & Trust Company, N.A., Larned, Ks 67550."

Confirmed schemes include an internet merchandise overpayment scam as well as an investment maturity scam. Correspondence accompanying the checks related to the investment scam may contain the letterhead of "Primetime Financial Brokers, 2020 Sheppard Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M3N2K9; telephone 1-416-617-2851, Email address: [primet@consultant.com]." Recipients have indicated that during conversations with the scammers, they are instructed to deposit the item in their account and wire a portion back to the sender. The letter indicates that 7.99% of the total principal is due upon completion of the transaction. This correspondence may be signed by "Kenneth Collins" or "Sarah Edwards."

For additional information and guidance and to verify the authenticity of American State Bank & Trust Company, N.A.’s money orders, please contact Joe Spiser, Risk Manager, 1321 Main Street, P.O. Box 1346, Great Bend, KS 67530, by telephone at (620) 793-5900, by fax at (620) 793-3402, or via email at [joespiser@americanstatebankna.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
Special Supervision Division, MS 6-4
250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20219
Fax: (202) 874-5214
Internet: https://www.occ.gov

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

/signed/

Richard C. Stearns
Director for Enforcement & Compliance

Topic(s):

Consumer Protection