Alert 2006-60 | October 31, 2006

Counterfeit Cashier's Checks: Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of Century Bank, N.A., Texarkana, TX

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 111904215 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a lottery scam.

Counterfeit items, while similar to authentic items, may be identified by the following traits: The checks may be green or tan in color with white flecks and contain a tan/brown border. In addition, the counterfeit items contain a security statement within the top border of the item.

Items presented may contain a remitter name of Henry Grant, be payable in the amount of $4,600, and display the date of 10/10/06.

Correspondence accompanying the checks may contain the letterhead of “Universal Securities and Payment Verification Center, 4777 Sherbrooke, Ottawa, Ont. H3X2B7” and be signed by Nathan Goldberg. The correspondence also advises recipients to keep all information confidential and to deposit the enclosed check immediately because the funds must be available within 24 hours, as they are to be used to pay processing tax and Customs clearance prior to the release of funds. For additional information and guidance and to verify the authenticity of Park National Bank’s official checks, please contact Doug Marston, Security Officer, 21 S First Street, Newark, OH 43055, by telephone at (740) 349-4317, by fax at (740) 345-6817, or via email at [dmarston@parknationalbank.com].

For additional information and guidance and to verify the authenticity of Century Bank, N.A.’s cashier’s checks, please contact Mike Payne, Security Officer, 2900 St. Michael Drive, Texarkana, TX 75503, by telephone at (903) 838-5505, Ext 2811; by fax at (903) 223-3544; or via email at [mpayne@centurybank.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