First Federal Bank of Ohio

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier’s checks using a correct routing number of 042000314 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with online employment scams, which require the potential victim to wire transfer funds to a third party. The counterfeit checks resemble the bank’s authentic checks; the counterfeit checks, however, may be identified by the following traits:

• The checks contain the following security statement within a dark blue top border: “THIS DOCUMENT HAS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICRPRINTING. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES AN ARTIFICIAL WATERMARK.”
• The following notice appears (exactly as typed) above the authorized signature lines:
  DRAWEE: First Federal Bank of Ohio
  TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED OVER $5, 000.00

Counterfeit checks presented to date have included a serial number beginning with the series number of 808 have been made payable in amounts between $1,680.65 and $2,880.45, and contain remitter names of Steve Brown, Raymond Carter, or Cindy Light. E-mail correspondence initiating this scam may contain the name of Steve Brown, and e-mail address of [stevehkland@outlook.com], and a telephone number of (484) 212-1930. Correspondence accompanying the counterfeit check may be signed by “Premier Research Group Inc.” and contain a cellphone number of (269) 533-4061 where text messages are to be sent.