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Alert 2009-16 | September 8, 2009
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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 counterfeit cashier's checks issued in the bank's name and using a correct routing number of 051503051 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a mystery shopping scam.
The counterfeit checks do not resemble the bank's authentic items and may be identified by the following traits: the instruments are blue in color, contain the name and color logo of FNB of Peterstown in the upper-left corner and the words "CASHIER'S CHECK" in the top-center followed by a Notice, which states: "Notice to Purchaser – In the event this check is lost, misplaced, or stolen a sworn statement and 90 day waiting period will be required prior to replacement. This check should be negotiated within 90 days." The following security statement is located in the top border: "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED Background AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER." A security statement is also located in the bottom-center border surrounded by two pad-lock icons. A telephone number of 1-800-373-5098 appears in the bottom-left corner of the check. Please note that this telephone number is not associated with the bank.
Items presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $4,980, contain a remitter name of "B.V Inc," and display a signature of Thomas W. Casey.
Due to possible variations between the appearance of the bank's authentic items and the counterfeit items associated with the scam, officials of The First National Bank of Peterstown suggest they be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank's cashier's checks if received by an unknown entity.
Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit checks may contain the letterhead of "Buyers View Inc., Suite #224-635 Scenic Drive, Peterstown, WV 24963." 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 contact an assignment coordinator at 1-905-861-1453 Ext. 103 or 1-647-890-2742 Ext. 103. The letter may display a signature of Jack A. Dill, Chief Assignment Co-Ordinator.
For additional information and guidance, and to verify the authenticity of The First National Bank of Peterstown's cashier's checks, please contact Betty Brown, The First National Bank of Peterstown, 220 Market Street, Peterstown, WV 24963, by telephone at (304) 753-4321 or by fax at (304) 753-5863.
Consumers who receive counterfeit or fictitious items and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:
Additional information concerning this matter that should be brought to the attention of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) may be forwarded to
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Special Supervision Division 400 7th St. SW, Suite 3E-218; MS 8E-12 Washington, DC 20219 Phone: (202) 649-6450 Fax: (571) 293-4925 www.occ.gov occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov
For additional information regarding other types of financial fraud, please visit the OCC's anti-fraud resources page.
/signed/
Richard C. Stearns Director for Enforcement & Compliance
