Counterfeit Cashier's Checks of Rockport National Bank, Rockport, MA

Subject: Counterfeit Cashier's ChecksDescription: Rockport National Bank Date: May 11, 2006TO: 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 PersonnelRE: Counterfeit Cashier's Checks of Rockport National Bank, Rockport, MAThe above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier's checks issued in the bank's name but using anincorrect routing number of 11305260 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a lottery scam.The counterfeit checks may be identified by the following: printed on a standard check stock paper, which is blue and pink in color. The bank logo of a porthole appears in the upper-left corner of the check with the bank name to the right. Both the logo and nameare enclosed in a darkened rectangular-shaped box. The bank name, city, state, and unassociated telephone numberof "1-888-263-7819" are centered at the top portion of the check. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are located in the left-center area, and the bank name appears again inthe right-center section. There are two signature lines,which are each preceded by the word "PER," and the following statement appears in the lower right-corner "SIGNATURE AREA CONTAINS A KNIGHT FINGERPRINT CHECK WORDING." The reverse side of the check contains a listing of four security features. All items presentedto date have been issued in the amount of $2,900.00 andshow the remitter as "OPTIMUM DISBURSEMENTS." These checks are mailed to potential victims accompanied by twoletters from "Optimum Disbursements, Unclaimed Funds Resources and Payment Verification Center, Suite 201 940Champlain Ave, Oshawa, ON L1J7A6," which are signed by James Matters or Jennifer Ellington. The letters notifythe recipient that they have won a $250,780.00 prize fromthe "Sweepstakes Corporation" and instruct the potentialvictim to contact the office immediately at "1-905-598-1495, Ext 200." Authentic cashier's checks issued by the bank are blue incolor and bear the logo and "Rockport National Bank" in the upper-left portion of the check followed by "ROCKPORT, MASSACHUSETTS 01966" and the date line. Thewords "CASHIER'S CHECK" are printed in the lower-left corner of the check, and there is one signature line located in the lower-right portion followed by the words"AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE." The check does not contain the address or telephone number of the bank; however, the bank number, 53-526, is printed in the upper-right cornerbelow the check number.For additional information and guidance or to verify theauthenticity of Rockport National Bank's cashier's checks, please contact Kathryn Bruni, Security Officer,Rockport National Bank, 16 Main Street, Rockport, MA 01966, by telephone at (978) 546-3411, ext 230, by faxat (978) 546-3263, or via e-mail at [kbruni@rockportnational.com]. Additional information concerning this matter that you believe should be brought to the attention of the OCC maybe forwarded to: E-mail: occalertresponses@occ.treas.govMail: 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.treas.govFor additional information regarding other types of financial fraud, please visit the OCC's anti-fraud resource at: http://www.occ.treas.gov/fraudresources.htm.Daniel P. StipanoDeputy Chief Counsel