The above-named bank has reported that fictitious cashier’s checks issued in the bank’s name and using a correct routing number of 071124614 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with a mystery shopping scam.

These items are fictitious, as BankChampaign, N.A., does not issue cashier’s checks. Checks presented to date have been made payable in the amount of $4,996, have included a remitter name of “B.C. Inc.,” are signed by Thomas W. Casey, and contain a telephone number of “1-866-403-7869,” which is not associated with BankChampaign, N.A.

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

Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit checks may contain the letterhead of “Business Consulting, Inc., 4 W. Main Street, Suite 136, Ashton, SD 57424, 1 (647) 448-5212 or 1 (647) 894-3548.” The letter may be signed by Pam Davids, Head 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 either 1 (647) 448-5212 or 1 (647) 894-3548, Ext 100, and then press 1. Note that this telephone number originates from Toronto, Ontario.

For additional information and guidance and to verify the authenticity of BankChampaign, N.A.’s official items, please contact Vicki Wyatt, Assistant Vice President/Operations, BankChampaign, N.A., 2101 S. Neil Street, Champaign, IL 61821, by telephone at (217) 351-2876, by fax at (217) 351-5580, or via e-mail at [wyatt@bankchampaign.com].

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