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Alert 2007-36 | June 12, 2007
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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 051409278 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a lottery scam.
The counterfeit checks do not resemble the authentic items and may be identified by the following: the instruments are of unknown color, include the bank's name and address under the bank logo in the upper-left corner of the instrument, and contain a 4-digit serial number in the upper-right corner. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are located in the top center portion of the check and are enclosed in a box. Similarly, the date information and numerical dollar amount are also enclosed in boxes.
Items presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $2,500.00 and have been dated 05/29/2007. Due to possible variations of appearance, it is suggested that officials of Sonabank, N.A. be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank's cashier's checks if received from an unknown or questionable source.
Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit checks may contain the letterhead of "Heritage Lottery Fund, 28 Vincent Close, Westminster, London, SW1 10BT, UK, Tel: 011447788431299." The letter alerts the recipient that he or she is the winner of an unclaimed prize and instructs the recipient to contact agent Mr. Anthony Wright at 011-44-7908848115 within 14 days to remain eligible to claim the winnings. The letter further states that the enclosed check is to be used "for the payment of tax clearance fees" and that the recipient is to keep all winning information confidential. The letter may be signed by Dame Liz Forgan (Chairperson Heritage Lottery Fund).
For additional information and guidance and to verify the authenticity of Sonabank, N.A.'s cashier's checks, please contact Diane Wilcher, Compliance Officer, 511 Main Street, Clifton Forge, VA 24422, by telephone at (540) 862-4782, by fax at (540) 862-4255, or via email at [dwilcher@sonabank.com].
Consumers who receive counterfeit or fictitious items and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:
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.
/signed/
Richard C. Stearns Director for Enforcement & Compliance
