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Unauthorized Banking

An unauthorized bank is any financial institution operating without a license or charter.

The OCC issues alerts to provide information about entities engaged in unauthorized banking activities for public awareness.  You can report information you have about such institutions to the OCC via

Email: OCC Alert Responses
Mail: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Enforcement & Compliance Division, 400 7th Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20219

Learn More

  • Access an individual alert list.
  • Read the OCC's "Charters" booklet of the Comptroller's Licensing Manual.

Popular Links

Fraud Resources

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Top Tasks

Complete Counterfeiting Report Form (PDF)

Complete Suspicious Activities Report (SAR)

Complete Counterfeit Currency Report (PDF)

Related News and Issuances

DateIDTitle
05/29/2024 Alert 2024-1 Fictitious Notification Regarding the Release of Funds Supposedly Under the Control of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
01/11/2022 Alert 2022-2 Unauthorized Banking: Fedro Asset Bank, N.A. and Ledge Community Credit Union, N.A.
01/03/2022 Alert 2022-1 Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of Powell Valley National Bank, Big Stone Gap, Va.