Fictitious Regulatory Agency Notification: Fictitious Notification Regarding the Release of Funds Supposedly Under the Control of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

Consumers have reported receiving fictitious email messages, allegedly initiated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), regarding funds purportedly under the control of the OCC.

Any communication claiming that the OCC is involved in holding any funds for the benefit of any individual or entity is fraudulent. The OCC does not participate in the transfer of funds for, or on behalf of, individuals, business enterprises, or governmental entities.

Consumers have reported receiving communications that the OCC is holding 25 million euros related to an international funds transfer until a “Capital Currency Control Permit” fee of 25,000 euros is paid. Potential victims have received an “Application for Capital Currency Control Permit,” which requests, among other data, a copy of the individual’s passport as well as bank account information.

Before responding in any manner to any proposal supposedly issued by the OCC that requests personal account information, or that requires the payment of any fee in connection with the proposal, the OCC recommends that consumers

• contact the OCC directly to verify the legitimacy of the proposal (1) by email at occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov; (2) by mail to the OCC’s Special Supervision Division, 400 7th St. SW, Suite 3E-218, MS 8E-12, Washington, DC 20219; (3) by fax to (571) 293-4925; or (4) by calling the Special Supervision Division at (202) 649-6450.
• contact state or local law enforcement.
• file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center if the proposal appears to be fraudulent and was received via email or the Internet.
• file a complaint with 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 by the online complaint form at https://ehome.uspis.gov/fcsexternal/default.aspx, if the proposal appears to be fraudulent and was delivered through the U.S. Postal Service.

Consumers who have provided bank account information should contact their financial institutions immediately to report the issue and discuss options to protect their account assets. Consumers who have had their personal information compromised should visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website at www.ftc.gov and follow the guidance for identify theft.

Information regarding the subject of this or any other alert that you wish to bring to the attention of the OCC may be sent to occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov.

Monica A. Freas
Acting Director for Enforcement and Compliance

Related Links

• Sample Fictitious Letter (PDF)
• Sample Fictitious Application (PDF)