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Alert 2017-6 | May 24, 2017

Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks: Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks of Legend Bank, NA, Bowie, Texas

To

Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks and Federal Savings Associations; All State Banking Authorities; Chair, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Chairman, 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 at least eight variations of counterfeit cashier’s checks using a correct routing number of 111903290 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a variety of online scams.

The counterfeit checks may be identified by the following traits:

Variation No. 1

  • The checks presented are of unknown color and contain the words “CASHIER’S CHECK” in the top center portion of the check.
  • The top of the check contains a dark border with the following security statement: “FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER.”
  • The bank’s PO Drawer listed under the logo may appear as either “1051” or “1061.”
  • The words “date,” “check number,” and “amount” appear in dark shaded boxes in the right portion of the check in a table format.
  • The checks may contain one of the following remitter names: Julie Wade, Janet Coleman, or Kate Gilbert.
  • The authorized signature on these checks appears to be Robert C. Bryan.
  • “VOID” appears when the checks are copied.

Variation No. 2

  • The checks presented are of unknown color and do not contain the words “Cashier’s Check.”
  • The top of the check contains a dark border with the following security statement: “FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER.”
  • The checks may contain a remitter name of Joan Quillin.
  • The authorized signature on these checks appears to be Carol Morrow.
  • The written-out payable amount of the check does not spell out the word “dollars” but rather uses the abbreviation “DOL-.”
  • The Notice appearing in the bottom left portion of the check does not spell out the word “please” but rather uses the abbreviation “PLS.”

Variation No. 3

  • The checks presented are white in color and contain the words “CASHIER’S CHECK” in the top center portion of the check.
  • The top of the check contains a blue border with the following security statement: “FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER.”
  • The bank’s address appears beneath the bank’s name and logo.
  • The checks may contain one of the following remitter names: Joan MacDaniels, Joan Arnold, Joyce MacDavid, Jennifer Stanley, Julie Fitzgerald, or Katie Winters.
  • “VOID” appears when the checks are copied.
  • The checks may contain a heat-sensitive lock at the bottom center or may contain the following statement: “Security features included. Details on back.”
  • The authorized signature on these checks appears to be Robert C. Bryan, as in Version 1.

Variation No. 4

  • The checks presented are of unknown color and contain a decorative scrolled border.
  • The bank’s name appears in an enclosed box in the top center portion of the check, with the bank’s address typed in the top left corner.
  • Within the scrolled top border on either side of the bank’s name is the following security statement: “HOLD DOCUMENT UP TO THE LIGHT TO VIEW TRUE WATERMARK.”
  • The words “Cashier’s Check” do not appear on the check.
  • The checks may contain a remitter name of Jason Phillips.
  • The following Notice appears in the bottom left portion of the check: “NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS – LOST STATEMENT MUST BE SIGNED IF THIS INSTRUMENT IS LOST, MISPLACED OR STOLEN.”
  • The authorized signature on these checks is illegible.

Variation No. 5

  • The checks presented are of unknown color and do not contain the words “Cashier’s Check.”
  • The top of the check contains a dark border with the following security statement: “FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER.”
  • The checks do not contain a remitter name.
  • The authorized signature on these checks appear to be Carol Morrow.
  • The Notice appearing in the bottom left portion of the check does not spell out the word “please” but rather uses the abbreviation “PLS.”
  • The security statement along the bottom border is difficult to read, as it overlaps the Notice as well as the words “Member FDIC.”

Variation No. 6

  • The checks presented are of unknown color and contain the words “CASHIER’S CHECK” in the top right portion of the check.
  • The check number is proceeded by the abbreviation “No.”
  • The top of the check contains a dark border with the following security statement: “THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK.”
  • The checks do not contain a remitter name.
  • The authorized signature on these checks is illegible.
  • The reverse side watermark reads “Original Document.”

Variation No. 7

  • The checks presented are of unknown color and do not contain the words “Cashier’s Check.”
  • The top of the check contains a border with the following security statement: “TO VERIFY AUTHENTICITY, SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR DESCRIPTION OF THE 13 SECURITY FEATURES.”
  • The checks contain a remitter name of Fresenius Medical Care.
  • The authorized signature on these checks appears to be Kassy Albreth.
  • A heat-sensitive lock is located to the left of the Authorized Signature line.

Variation No. 8

  • The checks presented are blue in color and contain a basket weave pattern.
  • The top of the check contains a darker blue border with the following security statement: “WARNING: THIS DOCUMENT HAS SECURITY FEATURES IN THE PAPER.”
  • The words “CASHIER’S CHECK” are located in the top center portion of the check.
  • The bank’s PO Drawer listed under the bank name and logo appears as “5001.”
  • The check number is proceeded by the words “Check No.”
  • The term “Member FDIC” appears between and slightly below “CASHIER’S CHECK” and “Check No.”
  • The checks do not contain a remitter name.
  • A memo line at the bottom border of the check states “MEMO: 1125 Oxford.”
  • The first name of the authorized signature on these checks appears to be “John.”

Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit checks may appear to be from one of the following:

  • J.P. Underwood, Award Dispatch Manager, Standard Trust and Financial Lotto, International Claim Department, 4805 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89119. Recipients are instructed to contact Claim Agent Allan Jacques at (866) 309-3407 or by email at [jn_mlls@yahoo.com].
  • Bobbie Johnson, Office Registrar, American Mega Lottery Payment, 5247 Las Vegas South, Las Vegas, NV 89101 / 111 King Edward Road, London, England, SE34 OBS. Recipients are instructed to contact Jimmy Hacker at (416) 457-4362.
  • Dan Strauss, Human Resource Manager, Survey Shoppers USA, 8107 12th Avenue, Suite 207D, New York, NY 10022-4605. Recipients are instructed to contact the Customer Service Department by telephone at (800) 210-5952, by fax at (800) 210-5952, or by email at [jn_mlls@yahoo.com]
  • Mark Troxel, Bunim/Murray Productions. Recipients are instructed to contact the payment department by email at [mark.troxel001@usa.com].
  • Jason Brewer, Payment Department. Recipients are instructed to contact the writer by email at [invoicerecords@accountant.com].

For additional information and to verify the authenticity of cashier’s checks drawn on Legend Bank, NA, please contact Chris Simpson, Fraud Officer, by mail at 101 W Tarrant St., PO Box 1081, Bowie, TX 76230, by telephone at (940) 235-1680, by fax at (940) 872-3609, or by email at chris.simpson@legend-bank.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