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Alert 2008-45 | November 6, 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 122106222 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a mystery shopping scam.
The counterfeit checks do not resemble the authentic items and may be identified by the following traits: the instruments are of unknown color and contain the words “CASHIER’S CHECK” in the upper-left corner. The bank’s logo and name appear in the top-center portion of the check along with a telephone number of 1-888-366-0361. This telephone number is not associated with the bank but rather with the fraudsters. The following security statement is located within the top border of the instrument: “FOR SECURITY PURPOSES THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER.” Both the Pay to the Order of and payable dollar amount sections are underscored. The following security statement is located within the bottom border surrounded by padlock icons: “SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED. DETAILS ON BACK.”
Items presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $4,820, include a remitter name of “Market Vision Inc.,” and include a 9-digit check serial number.
Due to possible variations in the appearance of the bank’s official items and differing scams associated with the counterfeit items, officials of West Valley 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 the letterhead of “Market Vision Inc. Shopping Business Solutions, 283 Orenda Road, Brampton, ON L6T 5S3, Tel/Fax # 1-289-888-2859.” The letter may be signed by Susan Hollands, Human Resources Manager. The correspondence informs the recipient that he or she has been selected to represent the company as a secret shopper. 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 1-289-888-2859 Ext 200, press 1, state his or her name, and to wait for the call to be answered. Note that this telephone number originates from Ontario, Canada.
For additional information and guidance and to verify the authenticity of West Valley National Bank’s cashier’s checks, please contact Nicole Mackesy, Operations, West Valley National Bank, 12725 W. Indian School Road, Ste C-108, Avondale, AZ 85392, by telephone at (623) 536-9862, by fax at (623) 536-8412, or via email at [nmackesy@wvnb.net].
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/
Daniel P. Stipano Deputy Chief Counsel
