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Alert 2009-19 | November 9, 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 051904524 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a mystery shopper scam.
The counterfeit checks do not resemble the bank's authentic items and may be identified by the following traits: the instruments are green in color with a darker green border. 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." The words "City National Bank" are located in the top-right corner of the instrument beneath the border, and the following security statement is printed in the bottom border between two padlock icons: "SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED, DETAILS ON BACK."
Items presented to date have been made payable between the amount of $3,155 and $3,880, exhibit a 7-digit serial number, and contain a remitter name of "John Andy."
Due to possible variations between the appearance of the bank's authentic items and the counterfeit items associated with the scam, officials of City National Bank of West Virginia 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 "Premier Shoppers, 4521 PGA Blvd – #330, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418, Tel: 1-403-401-2561, Fax: 1-646-365-3153." 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 John Andy at 1-403-401-2789 for further information prior to cashing the check. The letter may display a signature of Paul Fills, Director of Human Resources. The package will also include a "Market Report Form – Shopping" and a "Market Report Form – Wire Transfer."
For additional information and guidance, and to verify the authenticity of City National Bank of West Virginia's cashier's checks, please contact Terry Childers, Senior Vice President, Retail Administration, City National Bank of West Virginia, PO Box 7520, Charleston, WV 25356, by telephone at (304) 769-1119, by fax at (304) 769-1111, or via email at [terry.childers@cityholding.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
