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Alert 2007-8 | February 20, 2007
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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 121144285 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a mystery shopping scam.
Counterfeit items may be identified by the following traits: The checks are of unknown color with border along the top of the instrument. The following statement is contained within the top border: "THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT IS PRINTED RED – THE BACK CONTAINS A SIMULATED WATERMARK." The bank’s name and logo appear in the upper-left corner of the check with the words "Cashier’s Check" printed in the top-center portion of the item and enclosed in a box. The center of the instrument contains a rectangle with six arrows pointing towards the drawer name and the dollar amount of the check. The top portion of the rectangular area contains the phrase "Match the amount in words with the amount in numbers." To the right of the box is the drawer bank information followed by an authorized signature line. The remitter information appears directly beneath the signature line.
Items presented to date contain a check number of 68428, are payable in the amount of $4,770, and include a remitter name of Quality Shopper Inc.
Correspondence accompanying the checks may contain the letterhead of "QUALITYSHOPPER MYSTERY SHOPPING SOLUTION, 654 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC, V7X 1M8, 604-719-1818" and may be signed by Susan Hutchins, Human Resources Manager.
The letter informs the recipient that he or she has been chosen to represent the company as a secret shopper. A statement explains that the enclosed cashier’s check is to be used to purchase merchandise at various nationally known merchants and to transfer money using a nationally known wire service. The funds to be spent at each location are divided into specific dollar amounts, with the shopper being allotted the remaining funds as payment for his or her mystery shopper service. The recipient is instructed to call 604-719-1818–ext. 200, listen to the message, and then press 1. The recipient should then state his or her name and wait for the call to be answered. He or she will then receive detailed instructions on how to proceed.
For additional information and guidance and to verify the authenticity of Bank of Napa, N.A.’s cashier’s checks, please contact Robert Rowen, Vice President, Bank of Napa, N.A., 2007 Redwood Road, Suite 101, Napa, CA 94558, by telephone at (707) 257-7777, by fax at (707) 257-1497, or via email at [rrowen@thebankofnapa.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
