Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of American National Bank and Trust Company, Danville, Va.

Alert 2014-28

Counterfeit Official Checks

Date: September 4, 2014

Description: American National Bank and Trust Company

Counterfeit Cashier's Checks of American National Bank and Trust Company, Danville, Va.

To: Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks and Federal Savings Associations; All State Banking Authorities; Chair, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Conference of State Bank Supervisors; Deputy Comptrollers (Districts); Assistant Deputy Comptrollers; District Counsels; and All Examining Personnel

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier's checks using a correct routing number of 051401027 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a variety of work-at-home scams.

The counterfeit checks do not resemble the bank's authentic checks; the counterfeit items may be identified by the following traits:

- The checks contain a blue background with a darker-blue banner.

- The following statement is located within the top border: "Warning: This document has security features in the paper."

- A triangular logo appears next to the bank's name in the top-center portion of the checks.

- The bank's name and address are presented in the top-left corner of the checks.

- An abbreviated routing number of 66-112/531 appears in the top-right corner.

- The date is located in the top-right section.

- A memo line appears in the bottom-left portion of the checks.

- The checks contain one signature line.

Counterfeit checks presented to date have been made payable in varying amounts between $1,900 and $3,400. While the company names used in the scams differ, the premise remains the same. Recipients of the checks are instructed to deposit the checks into their bank accounts, contact an individual purportedly to purchase equipment for the work-at-home assignment, and then purchase a money order (using the funds of the counterfeit item) to send to that individual to pay for the equipment.

For additional information and to verify the authenticity of cashier's checks drawn on American National Bank and Trust Company, please contact Vice President of Operations Risk Brandon Atkins by mail at 628 Main Street, P.O. Box 191, Danville, VA 24543-0191; by telephone at (434) 792-5111; by fax at (434) 773-2277; or by e-mail at [email protected].

Consumers who receive counterfeit or fictitious items and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:

- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): by telephone at (877) FTC-HELP or, for filing a complaint electronically, via the FTC's Web site (http://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/).

- National Consumers League (NCL): by telephone at (202) 835-3323 or by e-mail (http://www.nclnet.org/contact_us" target="_blank"). To file a fraud complaint, visit the NCL fraud Web site (http://www.fraud.org/" target="_blank").