An official website of the United States government
Alert 2008-38 | September 2, 2008
Share This Page:
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 101100618 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with both a mystery shopping scam and overpayment scam.
The counterfeit checks do not resemble the authentic items and may be identified by the following traits: the instruments are appearing in a variety of colors including yellow, pink, and tan. The bank’s name and logo are printed in the lower-left corner of the instrument and may include a telephone number of 1-866-471-8240, which is not associated with the bank, but rather with the scammer. The following security statement is located within the top border of the check: “FOR SECURITY PURPOSES THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER.” The following security statement may be located within the bottom border surrounded by padlock icons: “SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED. DETAILS ON BACK.”
Items presented to date in reference to the mystery shopping scams have been made payable in the amounts of $4,976 and $4,985 and may include a remitter name of either Harris Cole or Rena Keith.
Items presented in the overpayment scams have been made payable in amounts from $217 to $65,500. These checks may contain remitter names of Towne West Square, Bertha Coleman, or Harris Cole.
Due to possible variations in the appearance of the bank’s official items and differing scams associated with the counterfeit items, officials of Southwest National Bank suggest they be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank’s cashier’s checks if received from an unknown or questionable source.
Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit checks may contain one of the following letterheads:
The letter may be signed by Fran Mainella (Director, Operations). The correspondence informs the recipient that he or she has been selected to represent the company as a research-personnel or customer-service evaluator. It is explained 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 either Savanah Richie at (514) 575-2976 or (514) 559-2904 or Jack Wilson at (514) 559-4657 for detailed instructions prior to depositing the check. Potential victims are required to keep the assignment confidential in accordance with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which is enclosed with the check. Note that these telephone numbers originate out of Quebec.
For additional information and guidance and to verify the authenticity of Southwest National Bank’s cashier’s checks, please contact Pamela Watkins, Bookkeeping Supervisor/Vice President, 400 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67202, by telephone at (316) 291-5310, by fax at (316) 942-7226, or via email at [bookkeeping@southwestnb.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.
/signed/
Richard C. Stearns Director for Enforcement & Compliance
