Peoples Bank, National Association, Marietta, Ohio, has contacted the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation.

The counterfeit items display the routing number 044202505, which is assigned to Peoples Bank, National Association. The items are reportedly part of a lottery scam and are mailed from Canada. The counterfeit items are light blue in color with black lettering and include the following security statement at the top: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRITING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK." The bank's logo and name appear in the top-left portion of the counterfeit items. The following information is located in the top center: "MARIETTA, OHIO 45750, OFFICES IN OH WV & KY." The counterfeit items presented to date have included a remitter name of "Prime Funding," have been payable in the amount of $2,800.00, contain check numbers beginning with "385" or "386," and have been dated either "6/25/06" or "7/3/06."

Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit items contains the letterhead of "rime rust Corp, 20 York Mills Road, North York, Toronto, ON M2P 2C2, 416-830-6758." This entity represents itself as a third-party processor that helps locate and educate lottery and sweepstakes winners about unclaimed prizes. Recipients are informed of their winning status and are instructed to contact their account manager at the telephone number provided. The letter further states that "the enclosed check should be used for service charges and all applicable fees."

Any information or questions that you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Teresa Pyles
Security Officer
Peoples Bank, National Association
138 Putnam Street
Marietta, Ohio 45750
Phone: (740) 376-7136
Fax: (740) 376-7112
E-mail: tpyles@pebo.com

Additional information concerning this matter that you believe should be brought to the OCC's attention may be forwarded to:

Mail:	Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Special Supervision Division, MS 8-10 250 E Street, SW Washington, DC 20219
Fax:	(202) 874-5301
E-mail:	occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov
Internet:	http://www.occ.treas.gov

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other fraudulent activity may be forwarded to the FDIC's Cyber-Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-4004, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Information related to federal deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.

For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2006/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

NOTE: Paper copies of FDIC Special Alerts may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information (1-877-275-3342).