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Alert 2010-3 | March 26, 2010
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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 021201383 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with two separate scams, which are both believed to be originated over the Internet.
The first scam involves a fictitious bingo winning alert email in which the consumer is informed of their winning status and requested to provide his or her mailing address. The recipient is informed that he or she will receive a check, which is to be used to pay for taxes and fees via a wire service. The counterfeit check is then mailed to the consumer. Items received to date have been in the amount of $2,400 and contain a memo line name of "Alfred Baker."
The second scam involves the consumer completing a fictitious loan application with "Aix Financial Group." The consumer is then mailed a check for $100,000 or more with a request to wire a portion of the funds to a third party. These checks may contain a memo line name of either "Alfred Baker" or Aix Financial."
The counterfeit checks may be identified by the following traits: the instruments are unknown in color and include the following security statement in the top border: "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A COLORED BORDER AND BACKGROUND PLUS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT WATERMARK ON THE BACK – HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW." The following text is printed under the Authorized Signature line: "Signature area contains a Knight & fingerprint check wording US Patents 5538290 5575508 5641183 5985353 6030000." The security message which appears on the back of the items is as follows: "This check also contains the following security features which are covered under US Patents." The back of the item contains a designated space for a "Knight Fingerprint" and a "Fingerprint" with a message that reads: "To view watermarks hold at angle or under black light."
Because of possible variations between the appearance of the bank's authentic items and the counterfeit items associated with the scam, officials of Valley National Bank suggest they be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank's cashier's checks if received from an unknown entity.
For additional information and guidance, and to verify the authenticity of Valley National Bank's cashier's checks, please contact Peter Pellegrino, Corporate Security Department, 1460 Valley Road, Wayne, NJ 07470, by telephone at (973) 305-8800, by fax at (973) 686-1631, or via email at [ppellegrino@valleynationalbank.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
