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Alert 2007-44 | July 25, 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 but using Country FCU's routing number of 263179914 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with various lottery scams.
The counterfeit checks do not resemble authentic items and may be identified by the following: the bank's logo, name, and address are located in the upper-left corner of the instrument. The following statement is printed in the top-center section: "NOTICE TO MEMBERS: The purchase of an indemnity bond may be required before any official check will be replaced or refunded in the event it is lost, misplaced or stolen." The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are located directly beneath this statement. The words "Pay Exactly" are located in the top-left section of the item followed horizontally by the written dollar amount and the numerical dollar amount, which is enclosed in a rectangular-shaped box. A remitter area appears in the bottom-left, one signature line appears in the bottom-right, and the statement "VOID AFTER 90 DAYS – NOT VALID OVER $10,000.00" is located in the bottom center section of the check.
Items presented to date have been made payable in varying amounts with the majority made payable for $2,780.00. The items contain a 5-digit serial number beginning with the series "62," include a remitter name of Steve Wright, and have been dated 6/29/07. Due to possible variations of appearance, it is suggested that officials of Hiawatha 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 "Global Sweepstakes Prize Inc., 3 Baker Road, Kings Cross, London W79DP." The letter alerts the recipient that he or she is the winner of an unclaimed prize and instructs the recipient to contact Robert Dunn or Vivian Campbell at 01144-776-720-4828 within 14 days, or the money will be forfeited. The letter further states that the enclosed check is to be used to pay the clearance fees. The letter may be signed by Claud Clayton or Melinda Hillford.
Another letter accompanying the counterfeit items has contained the letterhead of Skye Sweepstakes Prize Inc. This correspondence instructs the recipient to contact Steve Wright within 14 days at 01144-784-714-8243 to claim the prize. This letter may be signed by Melinda Hillford.
For additional information and guidance, please contact Cyndy E. Tuttle, EVP Operations & BSA Officer, N1555 770th Street, Hager City, WI 54014, by telephone at (715) 265-4211, by fax at (715) 265-4388, or via email at [ctuttle@hiawatha-nb.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
