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Waterford Bank, N.A. has been the target of a "Mystery Shopper Scam".
Counterfeit checks have been issued under the name of Waterford Bank, N.A. using a correct routing number of 041215854.
The counterfeit checks may be identified by the following traits:
- All have the account number 5254607121 encoded on them.
- The checks are blue with black ink for printed information and a red check number.
- The blue website logo is in the upper left-hand corner.
- The words "Cashiers Check" are printed in the upper, center portion of the check.
- In the top border is the statement: "For security purposes, the face of this check contains a colored background and microprinting in the border."
- The bottom, left section contains the following statement: "Issued by Waterford Bank, Toledo, OH., For inquiries, call: 1-866-464-9835"
(or an alternate toll-free number that is not associated with Waterford Bank). Our toll-free number is 1-866-707-2871.
- In the bottom, center of the check, between two padlock icons is the statement: "Security Features Included. Details on Back".
- Beneath the signature line is "Countersigned if Amount is Over $5,000."
- Checks presented so far have a date of either January 14, 2009 or January 21, 2009.
- The dollar amount is always $4998.00.
- The remitter name is S C Inc. or S A Inc.
Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit checks may contain the letterhead of “Shoppers Challenge Inc., Suite 303-115, 115 1st Avenue,
Ashley, ND 58413, Tel/Fax #1-800-963-9714.” A company name of “Shoppers Evaluation, Inc.” is printed in the lower left corner of the letter,
which may be signed by Pam Davids, Head Assignment Co-ordinator or Jack Dill, Chief Assignment Co-ordinator. The correspondence informs the
recipient that he or she has been selected to represent the company as a mystery shopper. It is explained that the enclosed cashier’s
check 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 telephone 1-800-963-9714 Ext 102 and then press 1 to connect to a coordinator for detailed instructions.
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
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
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 postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx.
As always, you can
contact us with any questions or concerns that you have.
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