The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier's checks issued in the bank's name and using a correct routing number of 062102849 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a lottery scam.

While the counterfeit items have a strong resemblance to the authentic items, the counterfeit checks may be identified by the following: the instruments are bluish-purple in color and contain watermarks, the payable dollar amount is enclosed in a rectangular-shaped box, and a padlock icon is located directly beneath the authorized signature line. The following security statement is contained within the top border of the item: "THIS CHECK VOID WITHOUT A COLORED BACKGROUND AND AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK CERTIFICATION SEAL ON THE BACK – HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW SEAL." The bank's logo does not appear anywhere on the instrument.

Items presented to date have been made payable in various amounts, contain 5-digit serial numbers beginning in the 70000 series, include remitter names of Mary Clayton and Kelly Roberts, and show a facsimile signature of actual bank employee, Linda Colquett. Due to possible variations of appearance and/or scam, it is suggested that First National Bank of Dozier officials be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank's official items, if received from an unknown or questionable source.

Correspondence accompanying the checks may contain the letterhead of "Nastac Financial and Trust, Trusted Financial Services, PO Box N-2420, Nassau, Bahamas." The letter alerts the recipient that he or she is the winner of an unclaimed prize based upon a drawing sponsored by "Reader's Digest, Publisher's Clearing House, Sweepstakes, Lotto." Recipients are urged to keep the information confidential and to contact Peter Histoman or Jane Richmond at 1-519-721-3586 (Canadian telephone number). The letter further states that the enclosed check is to be used to pay a processing fee required by "International law." The correspondence is signed by Thompson Donald Snr., Director Claims & Credit Control.

For additional information and guidance and to verify the authenticity of First National Bank of Dozier's cashier's checks, please contact Linda R. Colquett, Executive Vice President, First National Bank of Dozier, 7825 South Main Street, PO Box 68, Dozier, AL 36028, by telephone at (334) 496-3592, by fax at (334) 496-3752, or via e-mail at [fnbd@fnbdozier.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, for filing a complaint electronically, via the FTC’s Internet 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 U.S. Postal Service, contact the U.S. Postal Inspector Service by telephone at 1-888-877-7644, 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 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