RE: |
Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of The First National Bank of New Holland, New
Holland, OH
The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier’s checks issued in
the bank’s name but using the routing number of Miami Valley Bank, 044111191,
are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a mystery
shopping scam.
The counterfeit checks are significantly different than the authentic items.
The counterfeit checks may be identified by the following: the checks are of
unknown color and contain a logo of an eagle in the top-left corner with the
words “First National Bank.” The bank name of “First National Bank of Holland,
PO Box 348, New Holland, OH 43135” appears in the top-center section of the
check with an incorrect abbreviated routing code of “60-119/441” to the right.
A remitter section is located in the top-left portion of the instrument, the
words “Cashier’s Check” are located in the lower-left area, and the date
section is preceded by the word “Date.” The top border of the check includes
the following security statement: “FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE FACE OF THIS
DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER.” An
additional security statement is located within the bottom-center portion of
the check and is enclosed with two padlock icons: “SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED.
DETAILS ON BACK.”
Checks presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $4,999.99,
contain an authorized signature of Katherine Bell, use a remitter name of Debra
Brooks, and contain the following statement in the bottom-center portion of the
check: “VOID OVER $4,999.99.” Due to possible variations of appearance of the
counterfeit items and scams, it is suggested that officials of The First
National Bank of New Holland be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank’s
cashier’s checks, if received from an unknown or questionable source.
Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit instruments may contain the
letterhead of “Money-Op Market Research Inc., [www.money-op.com], P.O. Box
1400, New York, NY 10040, Tel: 1-226-200-0281, Fax: 1-866-544-7540.” The letter
informs the recipient that he or she has been selected to participate in a paid
consumer research program. It is explained that the enclosed check is to be
used to purchase merchandise at various nationally known merchants as well as
to transfer money using a nationally known wire service. The funds to be spent
at each location are broken down with a specific dollar amount, with the
shoppers being allotted a portion as payment for their mystery shopper service.
Recipients are instructed to contact the accounts manager at 226-200-0281 for
details on how to complete the remittance forms. Note that this telephone
number originates from Kitchener, Ontario. The offer has an expiration date to
further entice potential victims to act quickly. The letter may be signed by
Serge Burns, Director Human Resources.
For additional information and guidance or to verify the authenticity of The
First National Bank of New Holland’s cashier’s checks, please contact Ruth R.
Murphy, Cashier, at 25 N. Main Street, PO Box 348, New Holland, OH 43145-0348,
by telephone at (740) 495-5307, by fax at (740) 495-5478, or via e-mail at
[rmurphy@fnbnewholland.com].
Consumers who receive a counterfeit item and associated material should file
complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:
·
Federal
Trade Commission (FTC):by telephone at
1-877-FTC-HELP or, for filing a complaint electronically, via the FTC’s
Internet site at www.ftc.gov.
·
Royal
Canadian Mounted Police (Canadian Scams):by telephone at 1-888-495-8501 or via e-mail at
[info@phonebusters.com].Their Web site,
www.phonebusters.com, provides
additional contact numbers.
·
Better
Business Bureau – 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 international Web site (www.bbb.org)
offers contact information for local BBBs, objective reports on more than two
million businesses, consumer scam alerts, and tips on a wide variety of topics
that help consumers find trustworthy businesses and make wise purchasing
decisions.
·
If
correspondence is received via the U.S. Postal Service, contact the U.S. Postal
Inspector Service by telephone at 1-888-877-7644, by mail at U.S. Postal
Inspection Service, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL60606-6100, or via e-mail at
http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/MailFraudComplaint.htm.
Additional information concerning this matter that you believe should be
brought to the attention of the OCC may be forwarded to:
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E-mail: |
occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov
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Mail: |
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Special Supervision Division, MS 6-4
250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20219
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Fax: |
(202) 874-5214 |
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Internet: |
http://www.occ.treas.gov |
For additional information regarding other types of financial fraud, please
visit the OCC’s anti-fraud resource at: http://www.occ.treas.gov/fraudresources.htm.
/signed/
Richard C. Stearns
Director for Enforcement & Compliance
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