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News and Issuances |
Alert 2008-21
Subject: Fictitious Cashier’s Checks
Date: March 18, 2008 Description: American Home Bank, N.A.
Fictitious Cashier’s Checks of American Home Bank, N.A., Mountville, PATo: Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks; All State Banking Authorities; Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Director, Office of Thrift Supervision; Conference of State Bank Supervisors; Deputy Comptrollers (districts); Assistant Deputy Comptrollers; District Counsel; and All Examining Personnel The above-named bank has reported that fictitious cashier’s checks issued in the bank’s name and using the bank’s correct routing number of 031318693 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a mystery shopping scam. These items are fictitious, as American Home Bank, N.A., does not issue cashier’s checks. Checks presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $4,760 and may include a remitter name of “Clandestine Marketing.” Due to possible variations in the appearance of the bank’s official items and differing scams associated with the counterfeit or fictitious items, it is suggested that officials of American Home Bank, N.A., be contacted to verify authenticity of any of the bank’s official items, if received from an unknown or questionable source. The mystery shopper correspondence may contain the letterhead of “CLANDESTINE MARKETING COMPANY SHOPPING BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, [www.clandestine.co.za], Tel/Fax: 1-905-616-1840 or 1-905-392-1705.” Note that the telephone numbers provided originate out of Ontario. The correspondence informs the recipient that he or she has been selected to be a secret shopper for the company. It explains 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 by a specific dollar amount, with the shopper being allotted the remaining funds as payment for their mystery shopper service. The letter may be signed by Susan Hollands. For additional information and guidance and to verify the authenticity of American Home Bank official items, please contact Frances A. Bedekovic, Chief Credit Policy Officer, 3840 Hempland Road, Mountville, PA 17554, by telephone at (717) 285-6599, by fax at (717) 285-6411, or via e-mail at [fbedekovic@bankahb.com]. Consumers who receive a counterfeit or fictitious item and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:
Additional information concerning this matter that you believe should be brought to the attention of the OCC may be forwarded to:
For additional information regarding other types of financial fraud, please visit the OCC’s anti-fraud resource at: http://www.occ.gov/topics/consumer-protection/fraud-resources/index-fraud-resources.html. /signed/ Richard C. Stearns |