Counterfeit Cashier's Checks Drawn on Citizens National Bank, Bluffton, OH

Subject: Counterfeit Cashier's ChecksDescription: Citizens National Bank Date: June 5, 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 Drawn on Citizens National Bank, Bluffton, OHThe above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier's checks issued in the bank's name and usinga correct routing number of 041212983 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a lottery scam. The counterfeit checks contain a fictitious logo in thetop-center portion of the check. This logo contains the letters "CNB" enclosed in a darkened box followed by the bank name of "CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK" in a ribbon. The words "DOWNTOWN" and "UPTOWN" appear on either side of this logo. The word "PURCHASER" is located in the upper-left corner of the check, and the statement "THIS DOCUMENT CONTANS SECURITY FEATURES - SEE REVERSE" is contained within the top border of the check. A "Notice to Customers" is located in the center portion of the instrument, and a "Payable Through BB&T, Charleston, WV" clause is printed in thelower-left corner. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are printed in the lower-center section of the check followed by a gold seal. Neither the account number nor the numbering scheme on the counterfeit items arecorrect.These checks are mailed to potential victims accompaniedby a letter from "Emerging Financial Group, 2045 South Pearls Street, Suite 400, Tacoma, WA 98411," which are signed by Norman Thomas and postmarked from Canada. Theletters notify the recipient that they have won a prize from "USA Mega Millions Jackpot" and instruct the potential victim to contact one of the agents immediately. The names Jason Turner and David Wesley are listed as agents, with (778) 855-0690 as a contact number. Currently, Citizens National Bank has three different styles of authentic cashier's checks in circulation. All would have a perforation on the left side of the instrument, and all contain the same logo in the centerof the check followed by the city, state, and zip code of the issuing office as well as the bank's Web site address of <www.cnbohio.com>. The following city, state, and zip codes are legitimate: * Bluffton, Ohio 45817* Elida, Ohio 45807* Lima, Ohio 45802* Van Wert, Ohio 45891* Celina, Ohio 45822* Findlay, Ohio 45840All checks contain italicized text under the legal line detailing the type of security features contained on the instruments, and all checks contain silver foil somewhereon the face of the document. Locations of the silver foil vary, but can include the words "Original Financial Instrument," "Original Document," or simply a line printed down the left side of the check.For additional information and guidance or to verify the authenticity of Citizens National Bank's cashier's checks, please contact Andy Foust, Assistant Vice President of Branch Operations, Citizens National Bank, 102 S. Main Street, PO Box 88, Bluffton, OH 45817, by telephone at (419) 224-9495, ext 434; by fax at (419) 369-4296; or via e-mail at [andyf@cnbohio.com].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.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