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Alert 2009-18 | October 14, 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 071104427 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a secret shopper scam.
The counterfeit checks do not resemble the bank's authentic items and may be identified by the following traits: the instruments are a fading rose to blue in color with black printing. The following security statement is located in the top border: "THIS CHECK IS VOID WITHOUT A RED AND BLUE BORDER AND BACKGROUND PLUS A KNIGHT & FINGERPRINT WATERMARK ON THE BACK – HOLD AT ANGLE TO VIEW." The following notice is typed in the bottom-left corner of the check: "THE PURCHASE OF AN INDEMNITY BOND WILL BE REQUIRED BEFORE ANY CASHIER'S CHECK OF THIS BANK WILL BE REPLACED OR REFUNDED IN THE EVENT IT IS LOST, MISPLACED OR STOLEN."
Items presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $1,993 and contain a remitter name of "George Gary."
Due to possible variations between the appearance of the bank's authentic items and the counterfeit items associated with the scam, officials of Citizens First National Bank 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 "Liberty Marketing & Management Corp, Market Research & Management, 600-5th Ave., New York, New York Fax: 1-832-218-4488; Phone: 1-647-832-0155." The correspondence informs the recipient that he or she has been selected to represent the company as a secret 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 Sandra Anderson or Mike Campbell at 1-647-862-0155 for further information prior to cashing the check. The letter may display a signature of Kim Shapiro.
For additional information and guidance, and to verify the authenticity of Citizens First National Bank's cashier's checks, please contact Linda Sullivan, Security and BSA Officer, Citizens First National Bank, 606 S. Main Street, Princeton, Ill. 61356, by telephone at (815) 875-4445, by fax at (815) 872-8018, or via email at [linda.sullivan@citizens1st.com].
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
