The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier’s checks issued in the bank’s name and using a correct routing number of 101100171 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a mystery shopping scam.

The counterfeit checks resemble the authentic items, but may be identified by the following traits: the instruments are of unknown color and include the following security statement in the top border: “For security purposes, the face of this check contains a colored background and microprinting in the border.” The following security statement is printed between two padlock icons in the bottom-center section: “Security Features Included. Details on Back.”

Two series of items have been presented to date. The first has been made payable in the amount of $3,405 and includes a remitter name of Rachal Wilson; the second has been made payable in the amount of $3,962.11 and includes a remitter name of Rachel Santine.

Due to possible variations between the appearance of the bank’s authentic items and the counterfeit items associated with differing scams, officials of First National Bank of Hutchinson suggest they be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank’s cashier’s checks if received from an unknown or questionable source.

Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit checks may contain the letterhead of “Corporate Research International, 4581 Broad Street, Pleasantville, NJ 08232, Tel: 1-403-383-6027, Fax: 1-985-249-2732” and may be signed by Bolton Phillips, Director Operations (employment). The correspondence informs the recipient that he or she has been selected to represent the company as a mystery shopper. It is explained that the enclosed cashier’s check is to be used during the assignment to make purchases at various merchants and to transfer money using a nationally known wire service. Recipients are instructed to deposit the check and contact the Accounts Manager for details.

For additional information and guidance, and to verify the authenticity of First National Bank of Hutchinson’s checks, please contact Carol Berger, EVP, Retail Banking, P.O. Box 913, Hutchinson, KS 67504-0913, by telephone at (620) 694-2270, by fax at (620) 694-2317, or via e-mail at [carol.berger@fnbhutch.com].

Consumers who receive a counterfeit or fictitious 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 Web 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 (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 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.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Fraud Complaint Center (scams that may have originated via the Internet) at www.ic3.gov.
• 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, Office of Inspector General, Operations Support Group, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL 60606-6100, or via e-mail at https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx.

Additional information concerning this matter that you believe should be brought to the attention of the OCC may be forwarded to:

	E-mail:	occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov
	Mail:	Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Special Supervision Division, MS 6-4 250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20219
	Fax:	(202) 874-5214
	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