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Venice bank reports bogus checks
Tampa Bay Business Journal - 12:28 PM EDT Thursday

Community National Bank of Sarasota County told federal regulators that counterfeit checks issued in the bank's name are being presented for payment in connection with an Internet purchase scam.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency said the counterfeit items can be identified because the instruments are cream in color, the bank's logo appears faded, the word "No." does not appear in front of the check number, the reverse side of the check contains endorsement instructions, lines for signatures and the words "Federal Reserve Board of Governor Reg. CC."


The checks use correct routing and account numbers and are being presented for payment locally and nationally, the OCC said in a release.

The bank, which is based in Venice, has been informed by law enforcement that the checks are originating out of Ghana, Africa, according to the OCC.