Counterfeit Cashier's Checks: Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of Woodhaven National Bank, Fort Worth, Texas

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier’s checks, issued in the bank’s name and using a correct routing number of 051900353, are being presented for payment in connection with certain advanced-fee scams. One of the scams involves the use of a newspaper advertisement soliciting secret shoppers. Once the potential victim calls the number in the advertisement, the caller is mailed a counterfeit check in the amount of $974.00, along with a letter signed by Donna Doffy that provides instruction on how to participate as a secret shopper. The letter instructs the recipient to cash the counterfeit check at his or her bank and then wire a significant portion of the funds to a person located in Canada. Recipients are advised to retain $100.

Counterfeit checks issued in the bank’s name are also being circulated in connection with fraudulent lotteries and sweepstakes, as well as Internet purchases. One of the lottery scams is conducted by an organization called “Ambassadors of Hope Lotto.” The lottery letter is signed by Regina Taylor with a return address of 2887 Jefferson Avenue, Brampton, ON L6S1W8. The Internet purchase scam involves a purchaser’s overpayment for an item offered for sale by using a counterfeit check issued in the bank’s name, with instructions to the seller to wire the excess amount back to the purchaser.

The counterfeit checks may be either brown or red and blue multi-colored in appearance. The bank’s logo and name appears in the top-left corner of the instrument, the words “CASHIER’S CHECK” are enclosed in a darkened box in the top center portion, and the telephone number of (866) 856-7032 follows the bank’s address. This number is answered by an automated voice messaging system identified as the “Controlled Disbursement Account Department of M.D. Moody & Sons.” There is no remitter area on the check, and the printed dollar amounts on most of the checks are slanted. The serial number is printed in red ink, and most of the checks presented to date contain the facsimile signature of “Ron J. Casey.”

Authentic cashier’s checks issued by the bank are light pink in color with black print. The bank’s name and logo are located in the top center portion of the instrument followed by a remitter section, the bank’s address, and the bank’s telephone number (817) 496-6700. A security statement appears in the top-left corner, and a “Notice to Customers” appears in the lower-left section. Checks made payable for $2,500 or less contain the facsimile signature of Ron J. Casey, while higher amounts are hand signed by authorized bank personnel.

For additional information and guidance or to verify the authenticity of Woodhaven National Bank’s cashier’s checks, please contact Joshua Spivey, Security Officer, 6750 Bridge Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76112-0816, by telephone at (817) 492-2227, by fax at (817) 496-6700, or via email at [jspivey@woodhavenbank.com].

Email: occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov
Mail: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Enforcement & Compliance Division, MS 8-10
250 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20219
Fax: (202) 874-5301
Internet: https://www.occ.gov

For additional information regarding other types of financial fraud, please visit the OCC's anti-fraud resource page.

/signed/

Brian C. McCormally
Director for Enforcement & Compliance