The
above-named bank has reported that counterfeit official checks
issued in the bank’s name and using a correct routing number
of 026007773 are being presented for payment nationwide in
connection with a lottery scam.
Counterfeit items do not resemble
authentic items, but rather have an overall appearance of a
personal check. The counterfeit items contain the name of the
bank with an incorrect address of “108-01 Queens Blvd, Forest
Hills, NY 11375-4840” and an unassociated telephone number of
“(877) 533-8183” in the top-center portion of the item. The
instrument does not contain the words “Official Check,” nor
does it contain the bank’s logo. A 5-digit serial number is
located in the upper-right corner of the check, followed by
the date and payable dollar amount, which is enclosed in a
rectangular-shaped box. The fractioned routing number is
located in the upper-center portion of the instrument and
appears as 50-777/260. The following statement is located within
the darkened top border: “THIS DOCUMENT HAS A
COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK.” A memo section appears in the lower-left section of the check with an authorized signature line to the right.
Items presented to date have contained
a memo line of “S&B
Asset
Management,” have been payable in the
amount of $2,896.64, show the authorized signature as L. Grossman, and display the date of 10/20/06.
Correspondence accompanying
the checks may contain the letterhead of “S&B Asset Management
Corp” and be signed by Catherine Powell, Account Manager.
Recipients are advised to keep all information confidential and are informed
that the enclosed check is to be used to
pay surcharge and processing fees.
For additional information and guidance, and to verify the
authenticity of Sterling National Bank’s official checks, please
contact Joseph McGee, 500 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10018,
by telephone at (212) 575-5230, by fax at (212) 575-3485, or via
e-mail at [joseph.mcgee@sterlingbancorp.com].
Additional information concerning this matter that you
believe should be brought to the attention of the OCC may be
forwarded to:
