Rabobank, N.A., El Centro, California, has contacted the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name and routing number (121139711) are in circulation. The counterfeit items are reportedly associated with a lottery scam and are accompanied by a letter from the "American Consumers Sweepstakes Lottery." Letters notify recipients of their winning status and instruct the recipients to contact an "agent" at 1-800-963-5144, extension 1, or 647-430-9696, extension 1. According to the correspondence, the check is included to pay the IRS non-resident fees.

The volume of these counterfeit items has increased along with the variation in the appearance of the items. Bank officials, therefore, are encouraged to contact Rabobank, N.A., to verify the authenticity of any cashier's checks bearing the name Rabobank, N.A., El Centro, California, that is being presented.

Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of:

Patricia Martinez
Rabobank, N.A.
301 Main Street
Salinas, California 93901
Phone: (831) 422-6642

Additional information concerning this matter may be brought to the OCC's attention:

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Special Supervision Division MS 6-4
250 E Street, SW
Washington, DC20219

Fax:	(202) 874-5214
E-mail:	occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov
Internet:	http://www.occ.treas.gov

Information about counterfeit items, cyber-fraud incidents and other fraudulent activity may be forwarded to the FDIC's Cyber-Fraud and Financial Crimes Section, 550 17th Street, N.W., Room F-4004, Washington, D.C. 20429, or transmitted electronically to alert@fdic.gov. Information related to federal deposit insurance or consumer issues should be submitted to the FDIC using an online form that can be accessed at http://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp.

For your reference, FDIC Special Alerts may be accessed from the FDIC's website at www.fdic.gov/news/news/SpecialAlert/2006/index.html. To learn how to automatically receive FDIC Special Alerts through e-mail, please visit www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html.

Distribution: FDIC-Supervised Banks (Commercial and Savings)

NOTE: Paper copies of FDIC Special Alerts may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center (1-877-275-3342).