Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks: Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of Cattleman’s National Bank, Round Mountain, 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 114917092 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a lottery scam.

While the counterfeit checks resemble the authentic items, they may be identified by the following: the checks contain the following statement within the top border: "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A RED & BLUE BORDER AND BACKGROUND PLUS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT WATERMARK ON THE BACK — HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW." The bank's information noted in the upper-left hand corner of the instrument contains an incorrect zip code of 78665 and does not contain the bank’s telephone number of 830-825-3247. The following statement appears beneath the authorized signature line: "SIGNATURE AREA CONTAINS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT CHECK WORDING."

Items presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $4,600, contain a purchaser name of Milton McFadden, display an 8-digit serial number beginning with the series 3000, and are dated September 20, 2007. Due to possible variations in appearance of the counterfeit items, it is suggested that officials of Cattleman’s National Bank be contacted to verify authenticity of similar checks, if received from an unknown or questionable source.

Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit items may contain the letterhead of "Golden Lottery Gaming Corporation, 18 Lindberg Bay Suite 11, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802." The letter alerts the recipient that he or she is the winner of an unclaimed prize and instructs the recipient to contact claim agent Mr. Dan Baker at 1-519-992-0827 by a specific date, or the money will be forfeited. Note that this telephone number originates out of Windsor, Ontario. The letter further states that the enclosed check is to be used to "…pay for the applicable taxes on your winnings." The recipient is further instructed to deposit the check into their account and pay the tax amount using either MoneyGram or Western Union. The letter may be signed by Charles M. Genkins.

For additional information and guidance, please contact George W. Schuh, Executive Vice President & Controller/Cashier, PO Box 70, Round Mountain, TX 78663, by telephone at (830) 825-3247, or via email at [george@cattlemansnationalbank.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.

Richard C. Stearns
Director for Enforcement & Compliance