Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks: Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of First-Lockhart National Bank, Lockhart, Texas

The above-named bank has reported that at least two variations of counterfeit cashier’s checks using a correct routing number of 114903213 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with scams involving online purchases and job opportunities.

The counterfeit checks may be identified by the following traits:

Variation No. 1

• The checks presented are tan in color with a basket weave background pattern.
• The bank’s logo is printed in burgundy.
• Check numbers are within the 195000 series.
• The word “Amount” appears next to the spelled-out dollar amount of the check.
• The checks contain a heat-sensitive padlock icon in the bottom center portion of the check.
• The word “REMITTER” is located directly above a single signature line.
• The checks are made payable for $4,780 and contain a remitter name of Zacharey Frazier.

Potential victims of the scam involving this variation of check are initially contacted via email in response to an online job application. The correspondence may appear to be from Hiring Manager Mike Allan of Blue Dot Consultants, using an email address of [hr@bluedot-consults.com] and a telephone number of (613) 288-9053.

Variation No. 2

• The checks presented are of unknown color.
• Check numbers are within the 205000 series.
• The word “Amount” appears next to the spelled-out dollar amount of the check.
• The word “MEMO:” appears in the bottom left portion of the check followed by beneficiary account information.
• The following security statement is located within the bottom border of the check between two padlock icons: “SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED. DETAILS ON BACK.”
• The word “REMITTER” is located directly above a single signature line.
• The checks are made payable in varying amounts from $35,000 to over $100,000 and contain remitter names of Southgate Construction Co., LTD and Northpole Construction Co. LTD.

Potential victims of the scam involving this variation of check are companies selling merchandise and equipment online. The correspondence may appear to be from Todd Miller, using an email address of [todd@southgatecons.com] and a telephone number of (226) 314-0641.

For additional information and to verify the authenticity of cashier’s checks drawn on First-Lockhart National Bank, please contact Kelly Welch, BSA Officer, by mail at 111 S. Main Street, Lockhart, TX 78655, by telephone at (612) 620-9130, by fax at (512) 398-7357, or by email at KWelch@Firstlockhart.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.

William Jauquet
Acting Director for Enforcement and Compliance