Counterfeit Cashier's Checks: Counterfeit Cashier's Checks of Florida Community Bank, NA, Weston, Fla.

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier’s checks using a correct routing number of 066016766 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a secret shopper scam.

While the counterfeit checks resemble the bank’s authentic items, counterfeit items may be identified by several traits. Counterfeit checks do not contain any type of border; they do contain, however, the following security statement in the top portion of the check: “WARNING: THIS DOCUMENT HAS SECURITY FEATURES IN THE PAPER.” A security padlock icon is also visible on the right-hand edge of the check.

Counterfeit checks presented to date have been made payable in the amounts of $1,976 or $3,380 and include a remitter name of either Ryan Plat or Robert Harrison.

Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit checks contains the letterhead of “coraci market research, 2010 E. Randol Mill Rd, #602, Arlington, TX 76011 (571) 358-9159.” The letter informs the recipients that they have been selected for “Secret Survey” assignments. The recipients are instructed to deposit the counterfeit checks into their bank accounts using their banks’ automatic teller machines. They are further instructed to withdraw the funds after 24 hours, use the majority of the funds to purchase Green Dot prepaid cards, and send the 14-digit personal identification numbers on the cards to Ryan Plat at rr.plat@aol.com.

For additional information and to verify the authenticity of Florida Community Bank, NA’s cashier’s checks, please contact Fraud Manager Melissa Favorite by mail at 2500 Weston Road, Suite 300, Weston, FL 33331; by telephone at (772) 225-5980; or by email at mfavorite@fcb1923.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