Counterfeit Money Orders of American State Bank & Trust Company, NA, Great Bend, Kansas

Subject: Counterfeit Money OrdersDescription: American State Bank & Trust Company, N.A.Date: September 25, 2006TO: Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks;All State Banking Authorities; Chairman, Board ofGovernors 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 Money Orders of American State Bank& Trust Company, N.A., Great Bend, KansasThe above-named bank has reported that counterfeit moneyorders issued in the bank's name and using a correct routingnumber of 101114947 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with various overpayment scams. Counterfeit items may be identified by the following traits: Items presented to date contain varying serial numbers anddates; however, all have been payable in the amount of $12,000, with the embossed amount on the items shown as ***$12.000***," the remitter appears as "Sandi Edward,"and the bank's information appearing in the lower-left corner is presented as "American State Bank & Trust Company,N.A., Larned, Ks 67550."Confirmed schemes include an Internet merchandiseoverpayment scam as well as an investment maturity scam. Correspondence accompanying the checks related to the investment scam may contain the letterhead of "Primetime FinancialBrokers, 2020 Sheppard Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M3N2K9;telephone 1-416-617-2851, E-mail address: [primet@consultant.com]."Recipients have indicated that during conversations with the scammers, they are instructed to deposit the item in theiraccount and wire a portion back to the sender. The letterindicates that 7.99 percent of the total principal is due upon completion of the transaction. This correspondencemay be signed by "Kenneth Collins" or "Sarah Edwards."For additional information and guidance and to verify theauthenticity of American State Bank & Trust Company, N.A.'smoney orders, please contact Joe Spiser, Risk Manager, 1321 Main Street, P.O. Box 1346, Great Bend, KS 67530; by telephoneat (620) 793-5900; by fax at (620) 793-3402; or via e-mailat [joespiser@americanstatebankna.com]. Additional information concerning this matter that you believeshould be brought to the attention of the OCC may be 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) 874-5214Internet: http://www.occ.treas.govFor additional information regarding other types of financialfraud, please visit the OCC's anti-fraud resource at: http://www.occ.treas.gov/fraudresources.htm. /signed/Richard C. StearnsDirectorEnforcement & Compliance Division