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Alert 2008-26 | June 16, 2008
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Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks; All State Banking Authorities; Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Director, Office of Thrift Supervision; Conference of State Bank Supervisors; Deputy Comptrollers (districts); Assistant Deputy Comptrollers; District Counsel; and All Examining Personnel
The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier's checks issued in the bank's name and using a correct routing number of 102300459 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a mystery shopping scam.
The counterfeit checks may be identified by the following traits: the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" are located in the top center portion of the instrument directly above the following security statement: "AN INDEMNITY AND/OR SURETY BOND MAY BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF THIS CHECK IF LOST OR DESTROYED." The following wording is located beneath the bank name in the upper-left section of the check: "Payable Through First National Bank of Buffalo, Buffalo, WY, For Inquiries call 1-866-495-3692." A remitter line is located in the bottom-left corner of the check, and the following security statement is located within the bottom border surrounded by padlock icons: "SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED. DETAILS ON BACK." The words "Authorized Signature" and "Countersigned" are located under the signature lines in the bottom-right portion of the instrument.
Items presented to date have included a remitter of "Top Shop, Inc.," have been made payable in the amount of $4,985, include the words "Operator I.D..Cu9482101" towards the top-right area, contain a 9-digit check serial number beginning in the "254" series, and have been signed by "Thomas W. Casey" and "D D'Alessendro."
Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit checks may contain the letterhead of "TOP SHOP INC., Suite 171, 404 S. Cannon Street, Bridgeville, DE 19933, Tel/Fax#: 1-905-599-6092." Note that this wireless telephone number originates in Oakville, Ontario. The letter may be signed by Kristy Hudson, Chief Assignment Co-Ordinator. The correspondence informs the recipient that he or she has been pre-selected to represent the company as a mystery shopper. It is explains that the enclosed cashier's check is to be used during the assignment to make purchases at various merchants and to transfer money using a nationally known wire service. Recipients are instructed to contact 1-905-599-6092 prior to depositing the check and are required to keep the assignment confidential in accordance with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which is enclosed with the check.
Due to possible variations in the appearance of the bank's official items and differing scams associated with the counterfeit or fictitious items, officials of the First National Bank of Buffalo recommend that any recipient who receives any of the bank's official items from an unknown or questionable source should contact the bank to verify the item's authenticity.
For additional information and guidance, please contact Diana Borgialli, Vice President/Security & BSA Officer, P.O. Box 400, Buffalo, WY 82834, by telephone at (800) 766-3641, by fax at (307) 684-5620, or via email at [dborgialli@fnb-buffalo.com].
Consumers who receive counterfeit or fictitious items and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:
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.
Richard C. Stearns Director for Enforcement & Compliance
