Alert 2005-29
ALERT
    Subject:  Counterfeit Cashier's Checks
Description:  Anchor Bank, West St. Paul N.A., West St. Paul, MN
       Date:  December 5, 2005
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 Anchor Bank, West St. Paul
     N.A., West St. Paul, MN
     The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier's
     checks issued in the bank's name and using a correct routing
     number of 096015232 are being presented for payment.
     The counterfeit checks may be identified by the following: a
     standard check stock that is solid burgundy in color with a
     ribboned border.  The bank's name is printed in the top-
     center portion of the check followed by the bank's correct
     address but incorrect telephone number of:  1-866-804-1810.
     The following statement appears inside of the top border:
     "THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLOURED BACKGROUND AND HIGH RESOLUTION
     BORDER.  SEE REVERSE FOR ADDITIONAL SECURITY FEATURES."  All
     checks are dated 11/21/2005, show the remitter as CRMP, are
     made payable in the amount of $3,450.00, are drawn on an
     incorrect account number of 0423023, include a facsimile
     Authorized Signature of Jack A. Dill, and display one of the
     following serial numbers:  940344, 940364, or 940366.  The
     words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the lower-left corner of
     the instrument.  All printed items on the check are black in
     color with the exception of the serial number, which appears
     in red.
     Authentic cashier's checks issued by the bank are blue in
     color with a marbled background and a solid blue border.
     The bank's name, logo, four branch addresses and telephone
     numbers appear in the top-center portion of the check.  The
     words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the lower-left corner of
     the instrument followed by the following indemnity bond
     language:  "THE PURCHASE OF AN INDEMNITY BOND WILL BE
     REQUIRED BEFORE ANY CASHIER'S CHECK OF THIS BANK WILL BE
     REPLACED OR REFUNDED IN THE EVENT IT IS LOST, MISPLACED OR
     STOLEN."  Micro printing appears in the bottom border of the
     check, and all printed items on the check are black in
     color.
     You can verify the authenticity of Anchor Bank, West St.
     Paul N.A.'s cashier's checks by contacting Don Kottke,
     internal review manager, at 66 E. Thompson Avenue, West St.
     Paul, MN  55118, by telephone at (952) 808-8032, or via e-
     mail at [Don_Kottke@anchorlink.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
                     Enforcement & Compliance Division, MS 8-10
                     250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC   20219
               Fax:  (202) 874-5301
               Internet: http://www.occ.treas.gov
Brian C. McCormally
Director for Enforcement & Compliance