Counterfeit Cashier's Checks: Counterfeit Cashier's Checks of Kleberg Bank, National Association, Kingsville, Texas

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier’s checks using a correct routing number of 114912686 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with mystery shopping and online employment scams.

The counterfeit checks resemble the bank’s authentic checks. The counterfeit items may be identified only by the following traits:

• The check does not contain any borders.
• The following security statement appears in the top border: “WARNING: THIS DOCUMENT HAS SECURITY FEATURES IN THE PAPER.”

Counterfeit checks presented to date have been made payable in amounts between $1,270 and $2,780.99 and contain remitter names of Stephany N. Garza, James D. Garza, Toni Pomasl, and Denver Thomas.

Correspondence related to the mystery shopping scam is signed by Adrean Clark and contains an email address of [adreanclark@secretshoppingjobz.com] and a telephone number of (651) 689-3410. The correspondence is addressed to “Inspector” and provides instructions for the mystery shopping assignment. Recipients are assigned to evaluate their financial institutions when cashing the enclosed counterfeit cashier’s check. They are then to evaluate a local wire transfer agent by wiring $1,000 supposedly to the next inspector. Communication with Adrean Clark is through text messaging to the telephone number provided. Please review the attached letter for detailed information.

For additional information and to verify the authenticity of cashier’s checks drawn on Kleberg Bank, National Association, please contact the bank’s fraud department by mail at 100 E. Kleberg Avenue, Kingsville, TX 78363; by telephone at (361) 595-2988; by fax at (361) 593-1516; or by email at dispute.processing@klebergbank.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)