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ALERT 2007-48
OCC ALERT

Comptroller of the Currency
Administrator of National Banks

 

Subject: Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks
Description: Winona National Bank
 Date: August 2, 2007

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
 
RE: Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of Winona National Bank, Winona, MN

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier’s checks issued in the bank’s name and using a correct routing number of 091900216 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a lottery scam.

While the counterfeit checks resemble the authentic items, they may be identified by the following: the check is maroon in color with a marbled background and contains the following statement within the top border: “THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK.” The checks do not include a remitter section.

Items presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $4,800.00. Due to possible variations of appearance, it is suggested that officials of Winona National Bank be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank’s cashier’s checks if received from an unknown or questionable source.

Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit items may contain the letterhead of “Capital One Services Inc., PO.BOX 85508, Richmond, VA 23285-5508.” The letter alerts the recipient that he or she is the winner of an unclaimed prize and instructs the recipient to contact Patrick Sanchez of the Prize Paying Department at 1-647-219-8792 by a specific date or the money will be forfeited. Note that this telephone number originates out of Toronto, Ontario. The letter further states that the enclosed check is to be used to “…help you cover the Documentations and Insurance fees involved in your winnings.” The letter may be signed by James Y. Kean, Vice President.

For additional information and guidance, please contact Maureen Flynn, Compliance officer, 204 Main Street, Winona, MN 55987, by telephone at (507) 454-9249, by fax at (507) 454-9201, or via e-mail at [maureenf@winonanationalbank.com].

Consumers who receive a counterfeit item and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC): by telephone at 1-877-FTC-HELP or, for filing a complaint electronically, via the FTC’s Internet site at www.ftc.gov.
  • Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Canadian Scams): by telephone at 1-888-495-8501 or via e-mail at [info@phonebusters.com]. Their Web site, www.phonebusters.com, provides additional contact numbers.
  • Better Business Bureau – 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 international Web site (www.bbb.org) offers contact information for local BBBs, objective reports on more than two million businesses, consumer scam alerts, and tips on a wide variety of topics that help consumers find trustworthy businesses and make wise purchasing decisions.
  • If correspondence is received via the U.S. Postal Service, contact the U.S. Postal Inspector Service by telephone at 1-888-877-7644, 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 e-mail at http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/MailFraudComplaint.htm
Additional information concerning this matter that you believe should be brought to the attention of the OCC may be forwarded to:

E-mail: 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: http://www.occ.treas.gov

For additional information regarding other types of financial fraud, please visit the OCC’s anti-fraud resource at: http://www.occ.treas.gov/fraudresources.htm.

 

          /signed/          

Richard C. Stearns
Director for Enforcement & Compliance