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Counterfeit Cashier's Checks Drawn on Alaska First Bank & Trust, NA, Anchorage, AK

Alaska First Bank & Trust, N.A.

Anchorage, AK

Contact: 

Robin Bettisworth
robin@fibank.com
Voice (907) 644-1222
Fax

Subject: Counterfeit Cashier's ChecksDescription: Alaska First Bank & Trust, N.A. Date: June 12, 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 Alaska First Bank & Trust, N.A., Anchorage, AKThe above-named bank has reported that counterfeitcashier's checks issued in the bank's name and using acorrect routing number of 125200905 are being presentedfor payment nationwide in connection with a lottery scam.The counterfeit checks can be identified by the following: printed on blue standard check stock paper andcontains a logo in the upper-left corner of the check.The logo is similar to that of the authentic item, as itcontains the lowercase letters "ak"; however, the name "Alaska First Community Bank & Trust" appears to the right of the logo, and the address "Anchorage AK 99509-2360 appears below the logo. The words, "CASHIER'S CHECK," are located in the upper-right corner of the check directly beneath the check number. The payment-amount line is located under the logo, which is then followed by the payee information. The statement "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THEREVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK" is contained within the top border of the check. The account number of 152100015162 appearing in the MICR lineis incorrect. All checks presented to date have been made payable in amounts varying from $4,800.00-$25,000.00, are dated 05/24/2006, and include a remitter name of "RICHARD OWENS."The counterfeit items have been mailed to potential victims accompanied by a letter from "Optimal Strategy Inc., 329 Victoria Ave., London, Ontario," which is signed by Kevin Gray. The letter notifies the recipientthat he or she has won a cash prize in a lottery drawing.The potential victim is instructed by the counterfeitersto contact North American foreign agent representative Robert Clark immediately to arrange a wire transfer of taxes in the amount of $2,800 in order to have the remaining funds released. The agent's telephone numberis listed as (519) 694-5127.Authentic cashier's checks are gray in color and containa gray strip with silver leaves across the top of the instrument. Unlike the counterfeit items, the bank's name is located below the logo, and the full address of"C Street Office 001, 3301 C Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99503" appears to the right. The words "Cashier's Check"are located in the upper-center portion of the instrumentfollowed by a branch identification section and date area. The words "CARB-OUT Deluxe" are located along theleft border of the check, and a padlock logo with a security statement is located along the right border. For additional information and guidance or to verify theauthenticity of Alaska First Bank & Trust, N.A.'s cashier's checks, please contact either Robin Bettisworth, security officer, 3301 C Street, Anchorage,Alaska 99503 by telephone at (907) 644-1222, by fax at (907) 561-7684, or via e-mail at [robin@fibank.com] or Barbara Brock, BIS manager, by telephone at (907) 929-9229, by fax at (907) 929-9240, or via e-mailat [Barbara@fibank.com]. The bank's Web site is [www.akfirstbank.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.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

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