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Alert 2015-8 | June 29, 2015
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Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks and Federal Savings Associations; All State Banking Authorities; Chair, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Conference of State Bank Supervisors; Deputy Comptrollers (Districts); Assistant Deputy Comptrollers; District Counsels; and All Examining Personnel
The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier’s checks using a correct routing number of 063114030 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with various Internet-based employment and overpayment scams.
Four variations of counterfeit checks currently in circulation resemble the bank’s authentic checks. The counterfeit checks may be identified, however, by the following traits:
Counterfeit checks presented to date have been made payable in varying amounts from $1,900 to $2,830, have contained a remitter name of Helen Judith, reference “Branch: 52” in the bottom left portion of the check, and contain an authorized signature of “Jankie Tikaprasad.”
Potential victims of this mystery shopping scam are contacted via email by an individual using the following identity: Mark T. Sancho of Customer Survey Inc., Human Resources Department, 2300 Nevada Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55427, [mark@secretshoppercenter.net]. Once the assignment is accepted, the potential victim receives a letter in the mail along with payment in the form of a counterfeit check.
Letters accompanying the checks instruct the potential victim to immediately deposit the check into his or her bank account and to retain $300 as a commission. The potential victim is then to use $15 to make a purchase at a well-known chain store and to use the balance to purchase Reloadit pack prepaid cards at any store. Once purchased, the PIN numbers are to be sent by email along with an evaluation form to Mark Sancho. Photographs of the PIN numbers may be sent to him by texting (763) 691-7315.
For additional information and to verify the authenticity of cashier’s checks drawn on CenterState Bank of Florida, N.A., please contact BSA Officer and Fraud Investigator Sherry Root by mail at 1101 First St. South, Winter Haven, FL 33880; by telephone at (863) 678-6620; or by email at sroot@centerstatebank.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.
Ellen M. Warwick Director for Enforcement and Compliance
