The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has posted a warning regarding an entity calling itself Bluegate Industrial Bank USA, N.A.. The OCC said the firm claims to be an online financial institution offering regular banking products as well as loan services. Apparently that is not the case as Bluegate is not a licensed nor chartered bank.
The OCC says the website was established on December 24, 2017, offers neither contact information nor a physical address. Customers are expected to create an account utilizing an online form.
The OCC tells consumers who may have created an account on this website “to safeguard their identity.”
In a touch of unfortunate irony, on Bluegate’s home page it mentions protection against fraud.
Consumers who may have been victimized by this entity should file reports with the following agencies:
- U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General (OIG): by telephone at (800) 359‑3898 or by visiting the OIG website.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): by telephone at (877) FTC-HELP or, for filing a complaint electronically, via the FTC’s website.
- National Consumers League (NCL): by telephone at (202) 835-3323 or by e-mail. To file a fraud complaint, visit the NCL fraud website.
A quick search of the WhoIs database indicates the domain is registered under the following information:
Admin Name: Ehidiamen Imadegbor
Admin Organization:
Admin Street: Benin Benin
Admin City: Benin city
Admin State/Province: Edo
Admin Postal Code: 300213