Alert 2004-16
ALERT	

Subject:      Counterfeit Cashier's Checks
Description:  Indian River National Bank Cashiers Checks

Date:         July 26, 2004

TO:  Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks; All State Banking 
     Authorities; Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve 
     System; Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Conference of 
     State Bank Supervisors; Deputy Comptrollers (districts); Assistant Deputy 
     Comptrollers; District Counsel and Examining Personnel

RE:  Counterfeit Cashier's Checks of Indian River National Bank (IRNB)

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier's checks issued in 
the bank’s name are being used, both in the United States and internationally, 
in business transactions.  To date, the checks have been used primarily for the
purchase of goods acquired via the Internet.  The counterfeit checks can be 
identified by certain incorrect language imprinted on the check.  The 
counterfeit checks contain the following language across the top of the check: 
“The face has a colored background on white paper.”  Authentic cashier’s checks 
issued by the bank contain the language:  “The face has a colored background on 
safety paper.”  Counterfeit checks also typically have three asterisks before 
and after the name of the payee.  They are also usually accompanied by a request 
for the seller to immediately wire excess amounts to the purchaser or to send 
funds to a shipper for the goods.

You can verify the authenticity of IRNB cashier's checks by contacting the IRNB 
Call Center at (772) 569-9200 or Gerrit Frankhuisen at (772) 563-2315.

Any information that you may have concerning this matter should be brought to 
the attention of:
Mail:	  Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
	  Enforcement & Compliance Division, MS 8-10
	  250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC   20219
	  Fax:	(202) 874-5301
Internet: http://www.occ.treas.gov
E-mail:	  occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov



Brian C. McCormally
Director, 
Enforcement & Compliance Division