Counterfeit Cashier's Checks: Counterfeit Cashier's Checks of City National Bank of Florida, Miami, Fla.

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier’s checks using a correct routing number of 066004367 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with various Internet-based work-at-home and mystery shopping scams.

The counterfeit checks do not resemble the bank’s authentic checks, and the counterfeit items may be identified by the following traits:

• The checks contain a blue marbled background with a darker-blue banner.
• The following security statement appears in the top border of the check: “To verify authenticity, see reverse side for description of the 11 security features.”
• The bank’s name appears as “City National Bank of Florida.”
• The words “Pay to the Order of” are typed beneath the payee name.
• The payable numerical dollar amount is enclosed in a box.
• The checks contain a fictitious authorized signature of Stanley W. Booth.

Counterfeit checks presented to date have been made payable in amounts between $1,695 and $2,445 and have contained one of the following remitter names: Paul Wood, Dennis Jenkins, or Kenneth Logerquist.

While the scams differ, the premise remains the same. Recipients of the counterfeit checks are instructed to deposit the checks into their bank accounts and then contact an individual related to the purported work-at-home or mystery shopping assignment. The potential victim is then instructed to use the funds of the counterfeit check to either purchase a money order or to wire funds to a third party.

For additional information and to verify the authenticity of cashier’s checks drawn on City National Bank of Florida, please contact Senior Vice President Orlando Gonzalez by mail at 25 West Flagler St., Miami, FL 33130; by telephone at (305) 577-7491; by fax at (305) 350-1078; or by email at orlando.gonzalez@citynational.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