Counterfeit Cashier's Checks: Central National Bank, Junction City, Kan.

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier’s checks using a correct routing number of 101101293 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a mystery shopping scam and an Internet purchase overpayment scam.

The counterfeit checks resemble the authentic items but may be identified by the following: Counterfeit items contain the following security statement in the top border: “THIS DOCUMENT HAS A GRADUATED BACKGROUND, DARK TO LIGHT. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK.” The indemnity statement beneath the words “CASHIER’S CHECK” contains a gramatical error in the third line: “EVENTS.” Items presented to date have been made payable in varying amounts and contain a remitter name of Jeffery Platter.

Mystery shopping correspondence accompanying the counterfeit checks informs the recipient that he or she has been selected as an evaluator and that the enclosed check is to be used to assist with the assignment. Recipients are instructed to contact Harley Williams at Harley.willis@bluesash.net for instructions immediately following receipt of the check. There is no company letterhead on the correspondence and no telephone number listed.

The email correspondence pertaining to the overpayment scam may contain the name of Kathlee Nvelner with an email address of kathlee_nvelner@live.com. Recipients are informed that the payment he or she receives is going to be in excess of the price of the items being purchased. The recipient is then requested to wire the remaining balance to a third party upon receipt of the counterfeit check.

For additional information and guidance and to verify the authenticity of Central National Bank’s cashier’s checks, please contact Debbie Crooks, Vice President, Security/Fraud, by mail at 802 N. Washington, Junction City, KS 66441; by telephone at (785) 838-1998; or by email at dcrooks@centralnational.com.

Consumers who receive counterfeit or fictitious items and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:

• U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General (OIG): by telephone at (800) 359-3898 or by visiting the OIG website.
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): by telephone at (877) FTC-HELP or, for filing a complaint electronically, via the FTC's website.
• National Consumers League (NCL): by telephone at (202) 835-3323 or by email. To file a fraud complaint, visit the NCL fraud website.
• Better Business Bureau (BBB): The BBB system serves markets throughout Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United States and is the marketplace leader in advancing trust between businesses and consumers. The website offers contact information for local BBBs, objective reports on more than 2 million businesses, consumer scam alerts, and tips on a wide variety of topics that help consumers find trustworthy businesses and make wise purchasing decisions.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (to report scams that may have originated via the internet).
• If correspondence is received via the U.S. Postal Service, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service by telephone at (888) 877-7644; by mail at U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General, Operations Support Group, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL 60606-6100; or via the online complaint form.

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