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Alert 2020-2 | January 7, 2020
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Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks and Federal Savings Associations; All State Banking Authorities; Chair, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Chair, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Conference of State Bank Supervisors; Deputy Comptrollers (Districts); Assistant Deputy Comptrollers; District Counsels; and All Examining Personnel
The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier's checks using the bank's routing number of 075901011 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with secret shopper employment scams.
There are a variety of counterfeit items in circulation, none of which resemble the bank's authentic item. The counterfeit checks may be identified by the following traits:
Variation #1
Variation #2
Variation #3
All counterfeit items presented to date include a fictitious account number ending in "0610," have been made payable in varying denominations, and contain the authorized signatures of "Kris B. Bolssen" and "CSR." Other remitter names may include Anthony Duke, Christina Friesen, Luis Garcia, Teshela McCall, or Marshall Trammell.
Known scams include the following:
Secret Shopper Money Transfer Service
Potential victims of the mystery shopping scam have received correspondence accompanying the check, which contains the name of a nationally known retail store within the letterhead. The correspondence instructs the potential victim to confirm receipt of the packet by sending an email to Caroline White at [officebox374416@gmail.com] or a text message to (937) 770-4292. The recipient is further instructed to deposit the funds at his or her financial institution and to text the perpetrator at the above number to confirm the deposit. The letter informs the recipient to retain a small portion for commission. The majority of the funds are to be used to conduct three wire transfers to the perpetrators at a well-known retail store for the purported purpose of the victim surveying the services of the money transfer center located within the retail store.
Secret Shopper Gift Card
Potential victims of the gift card scam have received correspondence accompanying the counterfeit check, which contains the name of a nationally known mobile device management and entertainment retailer. The correspondence instructs the potential victims to confirm receipt of the packet and the deposit of funds by sending a text message to (929) 485-8052. The letter instructs the recipient to retain $200 ($300 if the assignment is completed within 48 hours) of the deposited funds for commission. The majority of the funds are to be used to purchase two gift cards at this well-known retail store for the purported purpose of the victim surveying the conduct of the sales representatives. Following the purchase of the cards, the potential victim is told to scratch the cards to reveal the card numbers and to send photos of each card to the perpetrator. The correspondence contains a contact name of "George Seneca, MBA, Survey Co-ordinator" and an email address of [report@evaluationreports.us].
For additional information and to verify the authenticity of checks drawn on the Stephenson National Bank & Trust, please contact Customer Support by telephone at (715) 732-1732, by fax at (715) 732-1327, by email at customersupport@snbt.com, or by mail at 1820 Hall Ave., Marinette, WI 54143.
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.
Monica A. Freas Director for Enforcement
