Counterfeit Treasurer's Checks: Counterfeit Treasurer's Checks of United Bank, West Springfield, Mass.

The above-named bank has reported that two different versions of counterfeit checks, both using a correct routing number of 211872027, are being presented for payment nationwide. These payments are in connection with a variety of Internet overpayment scams.

While the counterfeit checks may resemble the bank’s authentic checks, counterfeit items may be identified by several traits:

• The checks are blue in color, and the logo appears in blue lettering with a black background.
• The following security statement is located in the top border: “THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK.”
• The words “TREASURER’S CHECK” or “CASHIER’S CHECK” may appear in the top-center portion of the check.
• The bank’s abbreviated routing number located in the top-center portion of the check appears as 53-7202/2110.
• The reverse side of the check includes a security feature box and padlock icon.
• The authorized signature appears as “Michell Winer.”

Counterfeit checks presented to date have been made payable in varying amounts between $2,400 and $4,900 and may contain remitter names of Kyle J Hagen, Tom Linkous, and Mark Hartsell.

For additional information and to verify the authenticity of United Bank’s treasurer’s checks, please contact Security Officer Victoria Graffam by mail at 95 Elm St., West Springfield, MA 01089; by telephone at (413) 787-1700, ext. 1215; by fax at (413) 788-3370; or by email at vgraffam@bankatunited.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