OCC warns of counterfeit checks using IL savings bank routing number

June 29, 2018 Federal financial regulation 0

A savings bank in Illinois says at least five variations of counterfeit official bank checks using the bank’s correct routing number are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with various online employment opportunity scams, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) said in an alert Friday.

The First Federal Savings Bank of Champaign-Urbana, Champaign, Ill., OCC says, reported that counterfeit checks bearing its routing number resemble the bank’s authentic items but may be identified by the following traits:

Variation No. 1

  • The check is light blue with a marbled background.
  • The bank’s logo is black and grey in color.
  • The bank’s phone number is missing under the address.
  • The following security statement appears in the top border: “THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK.”
  • The following statement appears under the authorized signature: “One SIGNATURE REQUIRED OVER $25,000.”

Variation No. 2

  • The check is light blue with a marbled background.
  • The check number is printed in red.
  • The bank’s phone number is missing under the address.
  • The following security statement appears in the top border: “THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK.”

Variation No. 3

  • The check color is unknown.
  • The bank’s phone number is missing under the address.
  • The following security statement appears in the top border: “THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND ON WHITE PAPER.”
  • The following security statement appears in the bottom border: “THE BACK OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS CHECK SECURITY WATERMARK AND COIN REACTIVE INK.”
  • A padlock icon and security statement are located within the right border.
  • The following statement appears under the authorized signature: “One SIGNATURE REQUIRED OVER $25,000.”
  • A heat shield is located in the bottom-center portion of the check.

Variation No. 4

  • The check color is unknown.
  • The bank’s phone number is missing under the address.
  • The following security statement appears in the top border: “VOID IF COLORED BACKGROUND IS MISSING. A TRUE WATERMARK APPEARS IN DIAMOND WEAVE PATTERN WHEN HELD TO THE LIGHT. VERIFY AUTHENTICITY BY RUBBING RED LS LOGO BELOW.”
  • The following trademark statement appears along the right border of the check: “LaserSecure Fraud-Resistant Laser Checks.”
  • A heatshield is located to the right of the authorized signature line with the words: “Rub Here – Ink Disappears.”
  • The following statement appears under the authorized signature: “One SIGNATURE REQUIRED OVER $25,000.”

Variation No. 5

  • The check color is unknown.
  • The bank’s phone number is missing under the address.
  • There are no security statements on the check.

Checks presented to date have been made payable in amounts ranging from $1890.50 to $2,483.94, the banking agency said. Known scams involve a secret shopper money transfer service, secret shopper gift card and automobile wrap advertising.

Counterfeit Official Bank Checks of First Federal Savings Bank of Champaign-Urbana, Champaign, Ill.