Alert 2006-25
OCC ALERT
    Subject:  Counterfeit Cashier's Checks
Description:  Rockport National Bank
       Date:  May 11, 2006
TO:  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 Personnel
RE:  Counterfeit Cashier's Checks of Rockport National
     Bank, Rockport, MA
The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit 
cashier's checks issued in the bank's name but using an
incorrect 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 name
are enclosed in a darkened rectangular-shaped box.  The 
bank name, city, state, and unassociated telephone number
of "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 in
the 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 presented
to date have been issued in the amount of $2,900.00 and
show the remitter as "OPTIMUM DISBURSEMENTS."  These 
checks are mailed to potential victims accompanied by two
letters from "Optimum Disbursements, Unclaimed Funds 
Resources and Payment Verification Center, Suite 201 940
Champlain Ave, Oshawa, ON L1J7A6," which are signed by 
James Matters or Jennifer Ellington.  The letters notify
the recipient that they have won a $250,780.00 prize from
the "Sweepstakes Corporation" and instruct the potential
victim to contact the office immediately at 
"1-905-598-1495, Ext 200."   
Authentic cashier's checks issued by the bank are blue in
color 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.  The
words "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 corner
below the check number.
For additional information and guidance or to verify the
authenticity 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 fax
at (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 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.gov
For 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. Stipano
Deputy Chief Counsel