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Alert 2010-5 | April 16, 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 061120880 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a secret shopping scam.
The counterfeit checks do not resemble the bank's authentic items and may be identified by the following traits: the instruments are unknown in color, include the bank's name and address in the top-left corner followed by a telephone number of 1-888-832-5774, which is not associated with the bank. The top border of the item includes the following security statement: "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER." The words "Cashier's Check" and the date are located in the top-center area, and the words "Authorized Signature" are typed below the signature line at the bottom of the check.
Items presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $4970 and contain a remitter name of Customer Service Inspection Group.
Because of possible variations between the appearance of the bank's authentic items and the counterfeit items associated with the scam, officials of Peoples Community National Bank suggest they be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank's cashier's checks if received from an unknown entity.
Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit checks may contain the letterhead of "Customer Service Inspection Group, 2255 Cumberland Pkwy., Atlanta, GA 30339, Phone: 778-223-8700." The correspondence references an earlier telephone interview and 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 the coordinator at 1-778-223-8700 for detailed instructions.
For additional information and guidance, and to verify the authenticity of Peoples Community National Bank's cashier's checks, please contact Carol Harrington, 400 US Hwy 27 Bypass, Bremen, GA 30110, by telephone at (770) 537-2265, by fax at (678) 821-0355, or via email at [charrington@pcnb.us].
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
