The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit accounts payable checks issued in the bank's name, using a correct routing number of 021406667, but using a closed account number of 1123157 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a lottery scam.

Items presented to date have been made payable in varying amounts between $2,800 and $18,000.

Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit items may contain the letterhead of "American Sweepstakes Award, 29998 S 11th Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90307." The letter alerts the recipient that he or she is the winner of an unclaimed prize and instructs the recipient to contact a representative at (778) 859-2616. Note that this telephone number originates out of British Columbia. The letter further states that the enclosed check is to be used to "…help you pay your insurance, legal, and administration fees." The letter may be signed by Jason Chapman, President.

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

• 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 https://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.

Richard C. Stearns
Director for Enforcement & Compliance