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Alert 2008-37
Subject: Fictitious Official Checks
Date: August 21, 2008 Description: First Century Bank, N.A.
Fictitious Official Checks of First Century Bank, N.A., Bluefield, WVTo: 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; Director, Office of Thrift Supervision; Conference of State Bank Supervisors; Deputy Comptrollers (districts); Assistant Deputy Comptrollers; District Counsel; and All Examining Personnel The above-named bank has reported that fictitious official checks, issued in the bank’s name and using a correct routing number of 051500601, are being presented nationwide for payment in connection with a variety of international up-front fee scams. These items are fictitious, as First Century Bank, N.A., does not issue official checks. Checks presented to date have been made payable in varying large dollar amounts and have included a remitter name of "0506/Mill Bore Engineering Inc." or "0506/David Emerson." The fictitious items contain a telephone number of "1 (888) 843-0662," which is not associated with First Century Bank, N.A. The checks may be distributed as part of various Internet purchase payments in addition to legal representation payments to attorneys, who have seemingly been retained to collect funds from third parties for their “client.” Correspondence accompanying the checks may include one of the following letterheads:
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 Century Bank, N.A., 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 Century Bank, N.A.,’s official items, please contact Matthew W. Barnett, Assistant Security Officer, 500 Federal Street, Bluefield, WV 24740, by telephone at (304) 324-3256, by fax at (304) 324-3256, or via e-mail at [mbarnett@firstcentury.com]. Consumers who receive a counterfeit or fictitious item and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:
Additional information concerning this matter that you believe should be brought to the attention of the OCC may be forwarded to:
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 |