Alert 2020-1| January 7, 2020
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; Chair, 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 the bank’s routing number of 101104041 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with an unknown scam.
There are at least three variations of counterfeit items in circulation, none of which resemble the bank’s authentic item. The counterfeit checks may be identified by the following traits:
Variation #1
- The checks are light blue in color and contain a marbled background and dark blue top border.
- The following security statement is located within the top border: “TO VERIFY AUTHENTICITY, SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR DESCRIPTION OF THE 13 SECURITY FEATURES.”
- The bank’s telephone number of 620/872-2143 is missing from the bank’s logo at the top of the check.
- A heat-sensitive security shield is located in the bottom center portion of the check.
- The remitter name may appear as “Eugene Dixon.”
Variation #2
- The checks are of unknown color and contain a laced-style border.
- The following security statement is located within the top border: “THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND HIGH RESOLUTION BORDER. THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS DOCUMENT HAS AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK.”
- The bank’s telephone number of 620/872-2143 is missing from the bank’s logo at the top of the check.
- The remitter name may appear as “William Gault.”
- The check contains a fictitious account number ending in “1090.”
Variation #3
- The checks are of unknown color and contain a darkened top border.
- The following security statement is located within the top border: “TO VERIFY AUTHENTICITY, SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR DESCRIPTION OF THE 11 SECURITY FEATURES.”
- The bank’s telephone number of 620/872-2143 is missing from the bank’s logo at the top of the check.
- The remitter name may appear as “Matthew Brandon.”
- The following statement appears directly beneath the amount payable line: “THIS DOCUMENT HAS A MICRO-PRINT SIGNATURE LINE, AUTHENTIC WATERMARK, AND CHLOROSTAIN PAPER, ABSENCE OF THESE FEATURES WILL INDICATE COUNTERFEIT.”
Checks presented to date have been made payable in various denominations up to $13,000.
Consumers have reported receiving the checks along with a generic letter by overnight mail service. The sender’s information appears as “Park Slope Condos.” The letter reads as follows:
“Dear Sir/Ma’am,
We are verifying the authentication of the package you just received. Kindly send a TEXT ONLY to (720) 640-9978. This is necessary for securing the envelope and its contents and ensuring that it’s delivered to the rightful owner.
This small letter is being introduced with a check which states that once you receive the payment you are to send a TEXT ONLY to (720) 640-9978 with the information below. This is so important for security purpose. DON’T IGNORE THIS. Thanks!!!
*The full name on the package
*Check Number
*Amount on the check.
Regards,
Payment Secure Department”
For additional information and to verify the authenticity of checks drawn on First National Bank of Scott City, please contact Customer Service by telephone at (620) 872-2143, by email at customerservice@fnbscott.com, or by mail at 501 Main St., PO Box 290, Scott City, KS 67871.
Consumers who receive counterfeit or fictitious items and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:
- 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 email. To file a fraud complaint, visit the NCL fraud website.
- Better Business Bureau (BBB): The BBB system serves markets throughout Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United States and is the marketplace leader in advancing trust between businesses and consumers. The website offers contact information for local BBBs, objective reports on more than 2 million businesses, consumer scam alerts, and tips on a wide variety of topics that help consumers find trustworthy businesses and make wise purchasing decisions.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (to report scams that may have originated via the internet).
- If correspondence is received via the U.S. Postal Service, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service by telephone at (888) 877-7644; by mail at U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General, Operations Support Group, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL 60606-6100; or via the online complaint form.
Additional information concerning this matter that should be brought to the attention of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) may be forwarded to
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Special Supervision Division
400 7th St. SW, Suite 3E-218; MS 8E-12
Washington, DC 20219
Phone: (202) 649-6450
Fax: (571) 293-4925
www.occ.gov
occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov
For additional information regarding other types of financial fraud, please visit the OCC’s anti-fraud resources page.
Monica A. Freas
Director for Enforcement