Counterfeit Cashier's Checks: Counterfeit Official Checks of Old Florida National Bank, Orlando, Fla.

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit official checks using a correct routing number of 063111169 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a mystery shopping scam.

The counterfeit checks do not resemble the bank’s authentic checks. The counterfeit items may be identified by the following traits:

• The checks are blue.
• A remitter section is located under the bank name and logo in the upper-left section of the checks.
• The following security statement appears in the top border: “WARNING: THIS DOCUMENT HAS SECURITY FEATURES IN THE PAPER.”
• The checks are missing the bank’s telephone number of (407) 650-9800, which should appear under the bank name and logo.
• The face of the check includes no security features.

Counterfeit checks presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $2,050, have been dated April 8, 2014, and contain a remitter name of Michael Patel.

Correspondence related to this scam contains the letterhead of “Digital Shopper Cp., Inc., U.S. Office, 230 E 26th St., New York, NY 10001, tel: (801) 692-3407” and is signed by “Micahel [sic] Patel.”

The correspondence is addressed to “Prospective Shopper” and provides instructions for the mystery shopping assignment. Recipients are assigned to evaluate a major retail store and a wire transfer service. The majority of the check’s funds is to be used to purchase wire transfer service, while retaining $250 to cover the individual’s salary and expenses. The recipient is to contact Michael Patel at [e.naturalfa@gmail.com] with any questions. The correspondence contains numerous typographical errors, including Michael Patel’s first name. Please review the attached letter for detailed information.

For additional information and to verify the authenticity of official checks drawn on Old Florida National Bank, please contact Senior Vice President and Bank Secrecy Act Security Officer Lisa Walker by mail at 315 East Robinson St., Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32801; by telephone at (407) 388-6165; or by email at lwalker@oldfnb.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

Related Link

• Sample Mystery Shopper Scam Correspondence (PDF)