Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks: Counterfeit Cashier's Checks of Lubbock National Bank, Lubbock, Texas

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier’s checks issued in the bank’s name are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with an online job opportunity scam.

The counterfeit checks resemble the bank’s authentic checks but can be identified by several features. The counterfeit checks include one of the following security statements in the top border: “WARNING: THIS DOCUMENT HAS SECURITY FEATURES IN THE PAPER” or “THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK.” The counterfeit items have a blue marbled background and include one signature line, the date is presented in numbers rather than spelled out, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation logo is missing.

Counterfeit checks presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $2,480 and contain a remitter name of Tommy Castro.

Potential victims are initially contacted via email regarding a work-at-home job offer. Upon receipt of the counterfeit check, recipients are instructed to purchase prepaid cards at a major retail store and provide the security codes to a third-party individual.

For additional information and to verify the authenticity of Lubbock National Bank’s cashier’s checks, please contact Senior Vice President of Operations Kim Koontz by mail at 4811 50th St., Lubbock, TX 79414; by telephone at (806) 792-1000; by fax at (806) 792-0976; or by email at kkoontz@lubbocknational.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