Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks: Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of Pioneer Bank, Roswell, N.M.

The above-named bank has reported that several versions of counterfeit cashier’s checks using a correct routing number of 312270463 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a scam involving online mystery shopping employment.

The counterfeit checks resemble the bank’s authentic checks; the counterfeit checks, however, may be identified by the following traits:

• The checks contain the following security statement in the top border: “WARNING: THIS DOCUMENT HAS SECURITY FEATURES IN THE PAPER.”
• The words “CASHIER’S CHECK” are printed in the top-center portion of the check.
• The city and state printed under the bank’s logo appear as “ROSEWELL NM.”
• The following statement is located beneath the authorized signature lines: “TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED OVER $50,000.00.”

Counterfeit checks presented to date have been made payable in varying amounts and do not contain remitter names.

Potential victims are initially contacted by email about an opportunity for mystery shopping employment through At Your Service Marketing.

Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit checks explains that the recipient is to deposit the check into his or her personal bank account and wait 24 hours to perform the assignment. The recipient of this package is to confirm receipt by sending a text message to (216) 839-0634. The letter further explains that the recipient is to retain $300 as a commission payment and to spend the remainder on the purchase of a specific brand of prepaid cards. Once the prepaid cards are purchased, the recipient is to take a photograph of both the front and back of each card and email those pictures along with additional evaluation information to [justincory.10@outlook.com].

For additional information and to verify the authenticity of checks drawn on Pioneer Bank, please contact Cash Management Supervisor Kate Davenport by mail at 3000 North Main Street, Roswell, NM 88201; by telephone at (575) 624-5243; by fax at (575) 624-5269; or by email at kdavenport@pioneerbnk.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