Counterfeit Cashier's Checks: The First National Bank, Vandalia, Ill.

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier’s checks using a correct routing number of 081205112 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with an online job opportunity scam.

While the counterfeit checks resemble the bank’s authentic items, counterfeit items may be identified by several traits. Counterfeit checks are blue marbled in color throughout and contain the following security statement along with a padlock icon within the right-hand border: “Security Features Included. Details on Back.” Within the “Notice to Customer” box in the top-center portion of the counterfeit check, a dash appears between “90” and “days.”

Counterfeit checks presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $2,910.50 and include a purchaser name of Areli Ellsworth.

Potential victims are contacted via email by Mannello Perez about the job opportunity and informed that they will receive two checks for $2,910.50 each. Once the checks are received, the recipients are to deposit one of the checks into their bank accounts. Within 24 hours, they are to use $2,410 of the deposited funds to purchase Moneypak debit cards at various retail stores. Once the Moneypak cards are purchased, the recipients are then instructed to reveal the security numbers on the cards and to email them back to Perez at pereznello@outlook.com or telephone them to Perez at either (415) 484‑6953 or (347) 674-2318.

For additional information and to verify the authenticity of First National Bank’s cashier’s checks, please contact Accounting Officer Ingrid Andronis by mail at 432 W. Gallatin Street, P.O. Box 40, Vandalia, IL 62471; by telephone at (618) 283-5254; by fax at (618) 283-1692; or via email at iandronis@thefnb.com.

Consumers who receive counterfeit or fictitious items and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:

• U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General (OIG): by telephone at (800) 359-3898 or by visiting the OIG website.
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): by telephone at (877) FTC-HELP or, for filing a complaint electronically, via the FTC's website.
• National Consumers League (NCL): by telephone at (202) 835-3323 or by email. To file a fraud complaint, visit the NCL fraud website.
• Better Business Bureau (BBB): The BBB system serves markets throughout Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United States and is the marketplace leader in advancing trust between businesses and consumers. The website offers contact information for local BBBs, objective reports on more than 2 million businesses, consumer scam alerts, and tips on a wide variety of topics that help consumers find trustworthy businesses and make wise purchasing decisions.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (to report scams that may have originated via the internet).
• If correspondence is received via the U.S. Postal Service, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service by telephone at (888) 877-7644; by mail at U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General, Operations Support Group, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL 60606-6100; or via the online complaint form.

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.

Ellen M. Warwick
Director for Enforcement and Compliance