Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks: Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of Queensborough National Bank & Trust Company, Louisville, Ga.

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier’s checks using the bank’s correct routing number of 061103975 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with various online auction scams.

There are at least four known variations of counterfeit checks in circulation. While the counterfeit checks resemble the bank’s authentic checks, they may be identified by the following traits:

Variation #1

• The checks are light blue in color with a darker blue top border containing the following security statement: “WARNING: THIS DOCUMENT HAS SECURITY FEATURES IN THE PAPER.”
• The bank’s name is located in the lower left corner of the check with an enlarged letter “Q” appearing as the logo. The bank’s website address [www.qnbtrust.com] is missing.
• A padlock icon is located within the right-hand border.

Variation #2

• The checks are of unknown color with a dark top border containing the following security statement: “TO VERIFY AUTHENTICITY, SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR DESCRIPTION OF THE 10 SECURITY FEATURES.”
• The bank’s name is located in the lower left corner of the check with an enlarged letter “Q” appearing as the logo. The bank’s website address [www.qnbtrust.com] is missing.
• A heat-sensitive shield is located in the bottom center portion of the check.

Variation #3

• The checks are of unknown color and contain the following security statement along the top border: “WARNING: THIS DOCUMENT HAS SECURITY FEATURES IN THE PAPER.”
• A padlock icon is located within the right-hand border.
• The bank’s name is located in the lower left corner of the check with an enlarged letter “Q” appearing as the logo. The bank’s website address [www.qnbtrust.com] is missing.

Variation #4

• The checks are blue in color with a marbled background and contain the following security statement along the top border: “THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK.”
• The bank’s name is printed in blue and located in the lower left corner of the check with an enlarged red letter “Q” appearing as the logo. The bank’s website address [www.qnbtrust.com] is missing.

Checks presented to date have been made payable in amounts ranging from $850 to $29,850 and contain remitter names of George Carter, Jonathan Cook, Carlos Gutierrez, Wade Hughes, Hector Lopez, Maria Mendoza, Denise Pinkston, Greg Terry, or Cecil Walters. Checks may contain authorized signatures of Rita Burke, Anna Garney, or Frank Gravis.

For additional information and to verify the authenticity of cashier’s checks drawn on Queensborough National Bank & Trust Company, please contact Assistant Vice President & Bank Secrecy Officer Kelli M. Counts by mail at 208 E. 7th St., Louisville, GA 30434, by telephone at (706) 833-3909, or by email at kelli.counts@qnbtrust.bank.

Consumers who receive counterfeit or fictitious items and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:

• U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General (OIG): by telephone at (800) 359-3898 or by visiting the OIG website.
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): by telephone at (877) FTC-HELP or, for filing a complaint electronically, via the FTC's website.
• National Consumers League (NCL): by telephone at (202) 835-3323 or by email. To file a fraud complaint, visit the NCL fraud website.
• Better Business Bureau (BBB): The BBB system serves markets throughout Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United States and is the marketplace leader in advancing trust between businesses and consumers. The website offers contact information for local BBBs, objective reports on more than 2 million businesses, consumer scam alerts, and tips on a wide variety of topics that help consumers find trustworthy businesses and make wise purchasing decisions.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (to report scams that may have originated via the internet).
• If correspondence is received via the U.S. Postal Service, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service by telephone at (888) 877-7644; by mail at U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General, Operations Support Group, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL 60606-6100; or via the online complaint form.

Additional information concerning this matter that should be brought to the attention of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) may be forwarded to

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Special Supervision Division
400 7th St. SW, Suite 3E-218; MS 8E-12
Washington, DC 20219
Phone: (202) 649-6450
Fax: (571) 293-4925
www.occ.gov
occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov

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

Monica A. Freas
Director for Enforcement and Compliance