Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks: Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of Extraco Banks, N.A., Temple, 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 1119000581 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a lottery scam.

The counterfeit checks are exact replicas of the bank’s authentic item. Checks presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $3,985.00, contain a check serial number of 102063199, are dated 10/30/07, and use a remitter name of "Jonathan A. Holland FBO Chris Holland." Due to possible variations in appearance of the counterfeit items and scams, it is suggested that officials of Extraco Banks, N.A. be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank’s cashier’s checks, if received from an unknown or questionable source.

Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit instruments may contain the letterhead of "Ontario Lottery & Games, 70 Foster Drive, Suite 800, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 6V2, Tel: 1-416-823-7994." The letter alerts the recipient that his or her email address is associated with a winning lottery ticket and that he or she is the winner of an unclaimed prize. The letter further states that the sweepstakes was played without the recipient’s knowledge or consent and instructs the recipient to contact the claim agent, Bill Hamilton at 1-416-823-7994 within 14 days to claim the prize. Recipients are warned to not disclose this information to anyone. The letter may be signed by Dr. Kathryn Stanton, Promotion Manager.

For additional information and guidance or to verify the authenticity of Extraco Banks, N.A. cashier’s checks, please contact Marisa Truelove, Vice President/Deposit Operations Manager, P.O. Box 6101, Temple, TX 76503-6101, by telephone at (254) 774-5521, by fax at ( 254) 774-5590, or via email at [mtruelove@extracobanks.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