Markets Wired

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier’s checks using the bank’s routing number of 075901011 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with secret shopper employment scams.

There are a variety 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 pale blue in color and contain the following security statement in blue ink within the top border: “WARNING: THIS DOCUMENT HAS SECURITY FEATURES IN THE PAPER.”
• The bank’s website of www.snbt.com is missing from the bank’s logo in the top-left portion of the check.
• A security feature is printed in blue ink within the right border.
• The remitter name may appear as “Daniel E Williams.”

Variation #2

• The checks are blue in color with a marbled background and contain a dark-blue top border.
• The following security statement may be found within the top border: “THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK.”
• The bank’s website of www.snbt.com is missing from the bank’s logo in the top-left portion of the check.
• The remitter name may appear as “Sandra M Ford.”

Variation #3

• The checks are green in color with a woven background and contain dark-green top and bottom borders.
• The bank’s website of www.snbt.com is missing from the bank’s logo in the top-left portion of the check.
• The following security statement may be found within the top border: “THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND ON WHITE PAPER.” An additional security statement is printed within the bottom border: “THE BACK OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS CHECK SECURITY WATERMARK COIN REACTIVE INK.”
• A heat-sensitive security feature is located in the center-bottom portion of the check.
• The remitter name may appear as either “Shannon Leon” or “Dottie Dean.”

All counterfeit items presented to date include a fictitious account number ending in “0610,” have been made payable in varying denominations, and contain the authorized signatures of “Kris B. Bolssen” and “CSR.” Other remitter names may include Anthony Duke, Christina Friesen, Luis Garcia, Teshela McCall, or Marshall Trammell.

Known scams include the following:

Secret Shopper Money Transfer Service

Potential victims of the mystery shopping scam have received correspondence accompanying the check, which contains the name of a nationally known retail store within the letterhead. The correspondence instructs the potential victim to confirm receipt of the packet by sending an email to Caroline White at [officebox374416@gmail.com] or a text message to (937) 770-4292. The recipient is further instructed to deposit the funds at his or her financial institution and to text the perpetrator at the above number to confirm the deposit. The letter informs the recipient to retain a small portion for commission. The majority of the funds are to be used to conduct three wire transfers to the perpetrators at a well-known retail store for the purported purpose of the victim surveying the services of the money transfer center located within the retail store.

Secret Shopper Gift Card

Potential victims of the gift card scam have received correspondence accompanying the counterfeit check, which contains the name of a nationally known mobile device management and entertainment retailer. The correspondence instructs the potential victims to confirm receipt of the packet and the deposit of funds by sending a text message to (929) 485-8052. The letter instructs the recipient to retain $200 ($300 if the assignment is completed within 48 hours) of the deposited funds for commission. The majority of the funds are to be used to purchase two gift cards at this well-known retail store for the purported purpose of the victim surveying the conduct of the sales representatives. Following the purchase of the cards, the potential victim is told to scratch the cards to reveal the card numbers and to send photos of each card to the perpetrator. The correspondence contains a contact name of “George Seneca, MBA, Survey Co-ordinator” and an email address of [report@evaluationreports.us].

For additional information and to verify the authenticity of checks drawn on the Stephenson National Bank & Trust, please contact Customer Support by telephone at (715) 732-1732, by fax at (715) 732-1327, by email at customersupport@snbt.com, or by mail at 1820 Hall Ave., Marinette, WI 54143.

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