The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier's checks issued in the bank's name and using a correct routing number of 051904524 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a variety of up-front fee scams.

The counterfeit items bear no resemblance to the authentic items and may be identified by the following: the instruments are of unknown color, and contain a checkered top border which includes the following statement: "THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS SECURITY FEATURES – SEE REVERSE." The bank's name and address appear in the top-center portion of the instrument, the check's serial number is located in the top-right corner, and the abbreviated routing number may be found directly beneath the check number in the right-hand side. The date is located farther down the check and close to the center followed by the payable amount line. The payable dollar amount is preceded by the word "AMOUNT," and the signature line is preceded by the words "AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE." A forged signature of Terry W. Childers appears on the signature line.

Items presented to date have been made payable in various amounts between $1,300.00 and $350,000.00. According to the bank, the checks are being circulated in relation to both Internet purchase overpayment scams as well as lottery scams. No specific information is available at this time. Due to possible variations of appearance, it is suggested that City National Bank of West Virginia be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank's cashier's checks if received from an unknown or questionable source.

For additional information and guidance and to verify the authenticity of City National Bank of West Virginia's cashier's checks, please contact Terry W. Childers, Senior Vice President, PO Box 7520, Charleston, WV 25356, by telephone at (304) 769-1119, by fax at (304) 769-1111, or via e-mail at [terry.childers@cityholding.com].

Consumers who receive a counterfeit item and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies:

• 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.

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Fraud Complaint Center (Scams that may have originated via the Internet): www.ic3.gov.

• 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, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL  60606-6100, or via e-mail at http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx.

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.gov

For additional information regarding other types of financial fraud, please visit the OCC’s anti-fraud resource at: http://www.occ.gov/topics/consumer-protection/fraud-resources/index-fraud-resources.html.

/signed/

Richard C. Stearns
Director for Enforcement & Compliance