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Alert 2009-5 | March 19, 2009
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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 101100171 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a mystery shopping scam.
The counterfeit checks resemble the authentic items, but may be identified by the following traits: the instruments are of unknown color and include the following security statement in the top border: "For security purposes, the face of this check contains a colored background and microprinting in the border." The following security statement is printed between two padlock icons in the bottom-center section: "Security Features Included. Details on Back."
Two series of items have been presented to date. The first has been made payable in the amount of $3,405 and includes a remitter name of Rachal Wilson; the second has been made payable in the amount of $3,962.11 and includes a remitter name of Rachel Santine.
Due to possible variations between the appearance of the bank's authentic items and the counterfeit items associated with differing scams, officials of First National Bank of Hutchinson 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 "Corporate Research International, 4581 Broad Street, Pleasantville, NJ 08232, Tel: 1-403-383-6027, Fax: 1-985-249-2732" and may be signed by Bolton Phillips, Director Operations (employment). The correspondence informs the recipient that he or she has been selected to represent the company as a mystery 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 deposit the check and contact the Accounts Manager for details.
For additional information and guidance, and to verify the authenticity of First National Bank of Hutchinson's checks, please contact Carol Berger, EVP, Retail Banking, P.O. Box 913, Hutchinson, KS 67504-0913, by telephone at (620) 694-2270, by fax at (620) 694-2317, or via email at [carol.berger@fnbhutch.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
