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Alert 2009-9 | May 29, 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 071900456 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a secret shopping scam.
The counterfeit checks resemble the authentic items, but may be identified by the following traits: the instruments have been green or brown in color and include the following security statement in the top border: "For security purposes, the face of this check contains a colored background and microprinting in the border." The words "Cashier's Check" are enclosed in a darkened block and located in the top-center portion of the item. The following security statement is printed between two padlock icons in the bottom-center section: "Security Features Included. Details on Back."
Items presented to date have been made payable in the amounts of $3,995 and $4,595, have been signed by Barbara Miller, and have contained a remitter name of Helen V. Wheeler.
Due to possible variations between the appearance of the bank's authentic items and the counterfeit items associated with differing scams, officials of AMCORE Bank, N.A. suggest they be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank's cashier's checks if received from an unknown or questionable source.
Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit checks may contain the letterhead of "Global Relations Marketing, 3861 North Ridge Drive, Rockford, IL 61108, Fax: 1-888-305-0539" and may be signed by Donna Hamilton, Co-ordinator. 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 the assignment coordinator at 1-905-598-1753 upon receipt of the correspondence.
For additional information and guidance, and to verify the authenticity of AMCORE Bank, N.A.'s checks, please contact Gary Cooper, Security Manager, 501 Seventh Street, PO Box 1537, Rockford, IL 61110-0037, by telephone at (815) 961-7180 or via email at [gary.cooper@amcore.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.
Richard C. Stearns Director for Enforcement & Compliance
