The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier’s checks issued in the bank’s name and using a correct routing number of 111908758 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with both an Internet-based mystery shopping scam and overpayment scam.

The counterfeit checks bear a strong resemblance to the authentic items but may be identified by the following traits: the instruments may be green in color and contain a remitter name of Mike McConathy. The address information following the bank name in the lower-left portion of the check contains “Box 188,” verbiage above the signature line states “ASST. VICE PRESIDENT – CASHIER – LAMAN OFFICER,” and while there is a padlock icon located in the right border, there is no security statement.

Due to possible variations in the appearance of the bank’s official items and differing scams associated with the counterfeit items, officials of First National Bank of Lipan suggest they be contacted to verify authenticity of the bank’s cashier’s checks if received from an unknown or questionable source.

Items presented to date in relation to the overpayment scam have been made payable in large dollar amounts to various equipment and vehicle dealers.

Items presented to date in relation to the mystery shopping scam have been made payable in the amount of $4,800.

E-mail correspondence related to the mystery shopping scam may contain a sender e-mail address of [lyordwilliams13@aol.co.uk]. The letter informs the recipient that he or she has been selected as a mystery shopper. It is explained that the check being mailed is to be used during the assignment to make purchases at various merchants and to transfer money using a nationally known wire service. Recipients are instructed to wire the funds to Kelvin Ball, 5 Fairoak Grove, Enfield, United Kingdom, London EN3 6LY.

For additional information and guidance and to verify the authenticity of First National Bank of Lipan’s cashier’s checks, please contact Nancy Hutchins, Credit Administration, First National Bank of Lipan, PO Box 158, 101 East Lipan Drive, Lipan, TX 76462, by telephone at (254) 646-2244, by fax at (254) 646-2250, or via e-mail at [fnbnancy@lipan.net].

Consumers who receive a counterfeit or fictitious item and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): by telephone at 1-877-FTC-HELP or, for filing a complaint electronically, via the FTC’s Web site at www.ftc.gov.
  
  
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Canadian scams): by telephone at 1-888-495-8501 or via e-mail at [info@phonebusters.com]. Their Web site, www.phonebusters.com, provides additional contact numbers.
  
  
• 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 international Web site http://www.bbb.org offers contact information for local BBBs, objective reports on more than two 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 (FBI) Internet Fraud Complaint Center (scams that may have originated via the Internet) at http://www.ic3.gov.
  
  
• If correspondence is received via the U.S. Postal Service, contact the U.S. Postal Inspector Service by telephone at 1-888-877-7644, 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 e-mail at https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx.

Additional information concerning this matter that you believe should be brought to the attention of the OCC may be forwarded to:

For additional information regarding other types of financial fraud, please visit the OCC’s anti-fraud resource at: http://www.occ.gov/topics/consumer-protection/fraud-resources/index-fraud-resources.html.

/signed/

Richard C. Stearns
Director for Enforcement & Compliance