Alert 2019-7| August 5, 2019
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 051403122 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a variety of online auction and job opportunity scams.
While the counterfeit checks resemble the bank’s authentic items, they may be identified by the following traits:
- The checks are light blue with a marbled background and contain a darker blue top border.
- The top border contains the following security statement: “TO VERIFY AUTHENTICITY, SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR DESCRIPTION OF THE 10 SECURITY FEATURES.”
- The check number appears faded in the upper right-hand corner.
- A heat sensitive hologram security feature appears in the bottom center portion of the check encircled by the statement “HEAT SENSITIVE SHIELD. FADES WITH HEAT OR TOUCH.”
- The remitter name may be “Nancy Wilson” or “Christel Johnson.”
Checks presented to date have been made payable in varying amounts between $1,250 and $7,350 and have been signed by Evelyn Sutherland.
Correspondence received regarding the fictitious job opportunity may be received via Priority Mail and contain the letterhead of “The Brant Group.” Checks received with this correspondence are made payable for $2,450. Recipients are told to send a text message of “EXERCISE RECEIVED” to (281) 215-5416 or (281) 612-9912 to confirm receipt of the check. Potential victims are then instructed to deposit the counterfeit check and text the words “DRAFT LODGED” to the same numbers. Upon confirmation of funds availability, the recipient is to then text the words “TOTAL SUM OF $2450 READY” and include his or her name. The scammers will then text further instructions regarding the mystery shopping scam. Recipients are also told that they will be allowed to retain $250 as a salary for the assignment. The letter is signed by a “Mike Donald, Task Supervisor.” An email address of [mmikecompany10@aol] is provided.
For additional information and to verify the authenticity of cashier’s checks drawn on National Bank of Blacksburg, please contact Vice President of Operations Jennifer Kirschenman by mail at PO Box 90002, Blacksburg, VA 24068-9002, by telephone at (540) 951-6288, by fax at (540) 951-6337, or by email at jkirschenman@nbbank.com.
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 and Compliance