A customer brought in an item received through the mail that was labeled an "official check" drawn off a bank in Canada. The check was sent under the guise of an initial payment for lottery winnings and included wire instructions. Long story short, there apparently is an international phone/internet scam going on with these counterfeit checks being issued to the target victim. In this situation I believe we need to file an SAR, but are there any other additional contacts that we should make regarding this matter (Ex. FBI,FinCen)?

Since no money was actually lost, I wouldn't file a SAR, but I would notify the U.S. Secret Service and/or the FBI.

And don't forget the US Postal Inspector since it was received in the mail.

My understanding of filing SARs is that the loss of money is not necessarily a factor. If the financial institution suspects a criminal violation is committed or attempted against it, or a transaction conducted through it where the fi believes that it was either an actual or potential victim of a criminal violation an SAR should be filed.

Filing a SAR in this situation may depend on two things:
1. Do you really have a suspect identity?
2. If not, is the attemted transaction over $25,000?

If question #1 is "yes", and the amount is over $5,000, then you would need to file a SAR.

If question 1 is "no", and question #2 is "yes", then you would need to file a SAR.

If the answer to both questions is "No", then you would not be required to file a SAR.

You also might want to consider the Attorney Generals office of your state. AG's often place warnings in local newspapers of scams.