Pioneer Bank, located in Roswell, New Mexico, has alerted the public and financial institutions nationwide about the circulation of fraudulent cashier’s checks. These counterfeit checks are being used in connection with an online scam involving mystery shopper positions and utilize the correct routing number 312270463 for Pioneer Bank. It is crucial for individuals and businesses to be vigilant and understand how to identify these fake checks to avoid falling victim to this scam.
These counterfeit checks are designed to closely resemble legitimate checks issued by Pioneer Bank. However, there are several key features that can help identify them as fraudulent. Firstly, the counterfeit checks include a security statement in the top border stating: “WARNING: THIS DOCUMENT HAS SECURITY FEATURES IN THE PAPER.” Secondly, the words “CASHIER’S CHECK” are printed prominently in the top-center area of the check. A notable error is the spelling of the city and state under the bank’s logo, which appears as “ROSEWELL NM” instead of the correct “Roswell NM.” Finally, a statement beneath the signature lines reads: “TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED OVER $50,000.00.” This combination of features should serve as a red flag when examining checks purportedly from Pioneer Bank Roswell Nm.
The counterfeit checks reported so far have been issued for varying amounts and typically lack remitter names. The scam often begins with potential victims receiving emails about mystery shopping employment opportunities, frequently through a company named At Your Service Marketing. Victims are then sent a counterfeit check, accompanied by instructions to deposit it into their bank account. After depositing the check, victims are instructed to wait 24 hours before starting their “assignment.” They are asked to confirm receipt of the check by sending a text message to a specified phone number, (216) 839-0634 in reported cases. The scam letter instructs recipients to keep a portion of the deposited amount, often $300, as their commission. The remaining funds are to be used to purchase a specific brand of prepaid cards. Crucially, victims are then directed to photograph the front and back of these prepaid cards and email the images, along with supposed evaluation information, to an email address, in this case, [email protected]. This process allows the scammers to quickly access the value of the prepaid cards before the bank identifies the cashier’s check as fraudulent, leaving the victim responsible for the financial loss.
To verify the authenticity of any check drawn on Pioneer Bank, especially if it exhibits any of the characteristics mentioned, Pioneer Bank urges individuals to contact Cash Management Supervisor Kate Davenport directly. She can be reached by mail at 3000 North Main Street, Roswell, NM 88201, by phone at (575) 624-5243, by fax at (575) 624-5269, or via email at [email protected].
If you believe you have received a counterfeit check or have been targeted by this scam, it is important to file complaints with the appropriate authorities. You can report such incidents to:
- The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) at the address: Special Supervision Division, 400 7th St. SW, Suite 3E-218; MS 8E-12 Washington, DC 20219. They can also be contacted by phone at (202) 649-6450 or by fax at (571) 293-4925. Further information can be found on their website www.occ.gov, and reports can be emailed to [email protected].
For more information on avoiding financial fraud, the OCC provides helpful resources on their anti-fraud resources page: Fraud Resources.
Protect yourself from becoming a victim of this counterfeit check scam. Always verify the legitimacy of cashier’s checks, especially those received in connection with unsolicited employment offers, and report any suspicious activity to Pioneer Bank Roswell NM and the relevant authorities.
