Counterfeit Official Checks: Counterfeit Official Checks of First National Bank of Waynesboro, Waynesboro, GA

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit official checks issued in the bank’s name and using a correct routing number of 061202245 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with on-line purchase overpayment scams.

Counterfeit items are similar to the authentic checks, but may be identified by the following traits: checks may be either green or blue in color with a marbled background and contain the following security statement in the top border: “THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK.” The date section is located in the upper-right portion of the instrument and is not underscored. In addition, the Pay to the Order of section is not underscored, and the words “Authorized Signature” appear beneath the signature line. The words “CERTIFIED CHECK” may appear beneath the payable dollar amount line, and the items may be signed by Deborah Kogill.

Items presented to date have been made payable in the amounts of either $2,555 or $7,500 and may include a remitter name of Michael Siviter or a purchaser name of Doyle Lee Vaquez. Due to possible variations in the appearance of the bank’s official items and differing scams associated with the counterfeit or fictitious items, officials of First National Bank of Waynesboro suggest they be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank’s official items if received from an unknown or questionable source.

For additional information and guidance and to verify the authenticity of First National Bank of Waynesboro’s official checks, please contact Elva Raines, Customer Service Manager, P.O. Box 647, 626 Liberty Street, Waynesboro, GA 30830 or via telephone at (706) 554-8100.

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