The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit personal money orders issued in the bank’s name and using a correct routing number of 022303659 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a mystery shopping scam.

The counterfeit items may be identified by the following: the money orders are of unknown color, contain the bank’s name and logo in the upper-left portion of the instrument, and include the words “PERSONAL MONEY ORDER” in the top-center area. The logo colors are inverted, as the letters of the logo are black in color, while the oblong enclosure is white. The counterfeit items also contain a black square surrounding the logo.

Items presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $1980.00 and contain an authorized signature of Thomas W. Casey. Due to possible variations of appearance of the counterfeit items and scams, it is suggested that officials of Canandaigua National Bank & Trust be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank’s official items, if received from an unknown or questionable source.

Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit items may contain the letterhead of “LOBMAX SHOPPER PLC, 421 Hubert Ave, Suite 305, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Tel: 1-519-991-0693, Fax: 1-800-894-5975.” 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 money order 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 for details.

For additional information and guidance or to verify the authenticity of Canandaigua National Bank & Trust’s official items, please contact Kathleen A. Housel, Fraud Prevention Specialist, by mail at 72 South Main Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424, by telephone at (585) 393-6050, by fax at (585) 394-4001, or via e-mail at [khousel@cnbank.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 (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.

·         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 http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/MailFraudComplaint.htm