The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier's checks issued in the bank's name and using a correct routing number of 081205112 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a lottery scam.

While the counterfeit items resemble the authentic checks, counterfeits may be identified by the following traits: the checks may be a light grey in color with a green border or blue in color with a dark blue border. The following statement is contained within the top border: "THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND ON WHITE PAPER AND ORIGINAL DOCUMENT SECURITY SCREEN ON BACK WITH PADLOCK SECURITY ICON." A padlock security icon is present in the right margin of the instrument, and the following words "Authorized Signature" appear beneath the signature line.

Items presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $3,150.00 and contain a remitter name of "Kelly Ditmas" or "Philip Jones." Due to the possible volume and constant variation of counterfeit official items drawn on The First National Bank, approving officials should verify the authenticity of any such check directly with The First National Bank, Vandalia, IL.

Correspondence accompanying the checks may contain the letterhead of "Classic Lotto Commision Inc, 60 Subbase Suite 104, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802." Note that the word "Commision" is misspelled in the correspondence. The letter alerts the recipient that he or she is the winner of an unclaimed prize and should contact the office immediately. The recipient is advised to keep all information confidential and is encouraged to act by a specific date or the winnings will be forfeited. Recipients are to contact North America claim agent David Johnson at 1-204-951-7980 or David Cohen at 1-204-952-1407 (Canadian telephone numbers) for further instruction. The correspondence may be signed by Margaret Adams.

For additional information and guidance and to verify the authenticity of The First National Bank's cashier's checks, please contact Pam Yates, Vice President & COO by telephone at (618) 283-5261, by fax at (618) 283-1692, or via e-mail at [pyates@thefnb.com].

Consumers who receive a counterfeit item and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies:

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC):  by telephone at 1-877-FTC-HELP or file an electronic complaint via their Internet Web site at www.ftc.gov.
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Canadian Scams):  by telephone at 1-888-495-8501 or via e-mail at [info@phonebusters.com]. Their Web site, www.phonebusters.com, provides additional contact numbers.
• Better Business Bureau – 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 international Web site www.bbb.org offers contact information for local BBBs, objective reports on more than two million businesses, consumer scam alerts, and tips on a wide variety of topics that help consumers find trustworthy businesses and make wise purchasing decisions. 
• If correspondence is received via the US Mail, contact the US Postal Inspection Service  by telephone at 1-888-877-7644, by mail at US Postal Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General, Operations Support Group, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL  60606-6100 or via e-mail at http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx.

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

E-mail: occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov
Mail: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Special Supervision Division, MS 6-4
250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20219
Fax: (202) 874-5214
Internet: http://www.occ.gov

For additional information regarding other types of financial fraud, please visit the OCC's anti-fraud resource at: http://www.occ.gov/topics/consumer-protection/fraud-resources/index-fraud-resources.html.

/signed/

Richard C. Stearns
Director for Enforcement & Compliance