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Alert 2009-8 | May 27, 2009
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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 044210403 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a "Customer Compensation and Appreciation Bonanza" lottery scam.
The counterfeit checks resemble the bank's authentic items, but may be identified by the following traits: the instruments are of unknown color and include the following security statement in the top border of the instrument: "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER." In addition, the following security statement is centered between two padlock icons along the bottom border of the instrument: "SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED. DETAILS ON BACK."
Items presented to date have been made payable in various amounts between $2,950 and $30,250, include a "Remitter" name of Global Trust, Inc., and contain a lower case "v" in the phrase "a division of Vinton County National Bank" located in the top center portion of the item.
Due to possible variations between the appearance of the bank's authentic items and the counterfeit items associated with differing scams, officials of Vinton County National Bank suggest they be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank's official checks if received by an unknown individual or entity.
Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit checks may contain the letterhead of "Global Trust, Inc., 10940 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024, Phone: 1-213-221-3538, Fax: 1-206-666-1814," and may be signed by Mr. Oliver G. Jenkins, Credit Control Department. The correspondence informs the recipient that he or she has been selected as a winner in the "Customer Compensation and Appreciation Bonanza" lottery draw. The letter states that the enclosed check is to be used to pay processing fees. Recipients are instructed to contact Claims Agent John Thomas at 1-213-221-3538 or via email at [tomjay49@yahoo.com].
For additional information and guidance, and to verify the authenticity of Vinton County National Bank's checks, please contact Marilyn Braden, Compliance Department at (740) 596-2525 or via fax at (740) 596-3534.
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
