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Alert 2007-45 | 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 official checks issued in the bank’s name and using a correct routing number of 102003918 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a variety of lottery scams.
The counterfeit checks may be identified by the following: the checks are either pink-gray in color or gold-white in color and do not contain any watermarks. In addition, the font style differs throughout the face of the check. The following address appears in the top-left portion of the instrument directly under the KeyBank logo: "KEY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, 800 MAIN STREET, NIAGARA FALLS, NY 14301." The following statement appears along the top border of the check: "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER," and the following statement is present in the bottom-center portion of the check: "SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED. DETAILS ON BACK."
One group of counterfeit items being presented may be issued in the amount of $4,885.00 and accompanied by a letter from "WINDSOR FINANCIAL GROUP, LOTTO, PUBLISHERS CLEARING HOUSE, READERS DIGEST, SWEEPSTAKES, INTERNET CASINO" notifying the recipient that he or she has won the grand prize in an international promotion program. The recipient is instructed to telephone the claims broker at 519-991-4201 or 519-992-0833. Note that these telephone numbers originate out of Windsor, Ontario. These letters may be signed by Mrs. Susan Kirland, Vice President.
Another group of counterfeit items being presented may be issued in the amount of $3,755.00 and be accompanied by a letter from "BLUE DIAMOND JACKPOT, LOTTO, PUBLISHERS CLEARING HOUSE, READERS DIGEST, SWEEPSTAKES & INTERNET CASINO" notifying the recipient that he or she has won the grand prize in the North American Promotions Program. The recipient is instructed to telephone the claims agent at 613-261-6109 or 613-261-2492. Note that these telephone numbers originate out of Ottawa, Ontario. These letters may be signed by Ms. Lydia Vidic, Director of Promotions.
Due to possible variations of appearance, it is suggested that officials of KeyBank National Association be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank’s official checks, if received from an unknown or questionable source. Authentic official checks contain a correct verification telephone number of 1-800-223-7520, which appears on the back of the instrument.
For additional information and guidance or to verify the authenticity of KeyBank National Association official checks, please contact Helene Bolibrzuch, Financial Crime Investigator via email at [Helene_Bolibrzuch@keybank,com], by telephone at (716) 834-8059, or by fax at (716) 834-4498. Consumers who receive a counterfeit item and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:
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.
Richard C. Stearns Director for Enforcement & Compliance
