OCC Alert: First Financial Bank, NA, Hamilton, Ohio -- Counterfeit Cashier's Checks

The above-named bank has reported that two variations of fictitious cashier’s checks using a correct routing number of 042200910 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with an online employment scam. The bank does not issue cashier’s checks.

The counterfeit checks resemble the bank’s authentic checks; the counterfeit checks, however, may be identified by the following traits:

Variation #1

• The checks contain the following security statement along the top border: “WARNING: THIS DOCUMENT HAS SECURITY FEATURES IN THE PAPER.”
• The words “CASHIER’S CHECK” are printed over the aforementioned security statement.
• Remitter names appearing on this variation may include Eric Brownstein and Tim Reeves.

Variation #2

• The checks contain a dark top border with the following security statement: “THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK.”
• The words “CASHIER’S CHECK” are printed over the aforementioned security statement.
• Remitter names appearing on this variation may include Donald Williams and David Walker.

Counterfeit checks presented to date have been made payable in amounts ranging from $1,720 to $3,850.