Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks: Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of Citizens National Bank, Cameron, TX

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier's checks issued in the bank's name and using a correct routing number of 111902819 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a lottery scam.

While the counterfeit items have a strong resemblance to the authentic items, the counterfeit checks may be identified by the following: the instruments are of unknown color and do not contain the words "Cashier's Check" nor a Remitter section. None of the items typed on the instrument are underscored, and the checks are forged with a bank employee's name, Kimberly Wettstein.

Items presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $1,300 and contain a serial number of 69394. Due to possible variations of appearance and/or scam, it is suggested that Citizens National Bank officials be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank's official items, if received from an unknown or questionable source.

Correspondence accompanying the checks may contain the letterhead of "GAA – Global Awards Agency PowerPlay." The footer contains the following information: "The Powerball Powerplay is endorsed in: Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and the United States." The letter alerts the recipient that he or she is the winner of an unclaimed prize from a drawing held a year ago. Recipients are urged to contact James Sullivan at the James Sullivan Law Office at 778-316-2607 (Canadian telephone number) within two weeks or the prize will be forfeited. The letter further states that the enclosed check is to be used to pay a 2 percent nonresident tax which is required by the Australian government. An attachment entitled Official Rules and Regulations US-14a is attached and contains a mailing address of PO Box 990842, Melbourne, Australia VIC/3004. The correspondence is signed by J. Wise, Managing Director.

For additional information and guidance and to verify the authenticity of Citizens National Bank cashier's checks, please contact Jeannine Dohnalik, Citizens National Bank, 118 S. Houston, PO Drawer 111, Cameron, TX 76520, by telephone at (254) 697-6653, by fax at (254) 697-6504, or via email at [jdohnalik@cnbanktexas.com].

Consumers who receive counterfeit or fictitious items and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:

• U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General (OIG): by telephone at (800) 359-3898 or by visiting the OIG website.
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): by telephone at (877) FTC-HELP or, for filing a complaint electronically, via the FTC's website.
• National Consumers League (NCL): by telephone at (202) 835-3323 or by email. To file a fraud complaint, visit the NCL fraud website.
• Better Business Bureau (BBB): The BBB system serves markets throughout Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United States and is the marketplace leader in advancing trust between businesses and consumers. The website offers contact information for local BBBs, objective reports on more than 2 million businesses, consumer scam alerts, and tips on a wide variety of topics that help consumers find trustworthy businesses and make wise purchasing decisions.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (to report scams that may have originated via the internet).
• If correspondence is received via the U.S. Postal Service, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service by telephone at (888) 877-7644; by mail at U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General, Operations Support Group, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL 60606-6100; or via the online complaint form.

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