Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks: Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of The Honesdale National Bank, Honesdale, PA

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier's checks issued in the bank's name and using a correct routing number of 031308535 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a lottery scam.

While the counterfeit items resemble the authentic items, the counterfeit checks may be identified by the following: the instruments may be brown, yellow, or green in color with a dark top border, which contains the following statement: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK."

Items presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $4,750.00 and contain a remitter name of "Felicia Ferreira." Due to possible variations of appearance, it is suggested that The Honesdale National Bank 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 "Ocean Ontario Lottery Gaming Corporation, 25 Capital Drive, Nepean, Ont. K2G OE9." The letter alerts the recipient that he or she is the winner of an unclaimed prize sponsored by "North-American Sweepstakes Lottery." Prior to negotiating the enclosed check, recipients are instructed to contact one of the following claim agents: Robert Bell at (902) 412-9354, Emily Lewis at (902) 412-9361, Michael Jones at (902) 412-9365, Carol Gates at (902) 412-9367, or Mark Spencer at (902) 412-8838 (all telephone numbers originate out of Nova Scotia). The letter further states that the enclosed check is to be used to pay for applicable taxes on the winnings. In addition, the writer explains that the tax amount is to be paid via Western Union or Moneygram. The correspondence is signed by Willis T. Marshall, Promotion Manager.

For additional information and guidance and to verify the authenticity of Honesdale National Bank's cashier's checks, please contact the bank's Bookkeeping Department at 724 Main Street, Honesdale, PA 18431, by telephone at (570) 253-3355, by fax at (570) 251-9519, or via email at [kenslin@hnbbank.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