| Reports of robberies and counterfeit checks continue to increase! Read the lead article "Three Times and You're Out" for an interesting write-up about robbery - and check out the Breaking News about another White Collar Crime. There is much more than that - check it out! |
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 Three Times and You're Out!
Some people just can't seem to stay on the right side of the law, even when they've worked there! A recent California arrest involves a three-time loser who worked for ten years in law enforcement, but got canned for embezzlement. He was later a guest of the state for three years after a 1997 bank robbery conviction. Now it looks like he's headed back behind bars. Get the details in our spotlight article.
Dirty Deputy Derailed, Again
 Breaking News . . .
Although it's rarely classed as violent crime, it's no secret that so-called "white collar crime" is done on a much grander scale than bank robbery. As we were approaching our publishing deadline for this month's Security Spotlight, a breaking story involving a $29 million embezzlement caught our eye. The arrest of a KeyBank Senior Vice President as he got off a flight from Dallas to Cleveland culminated an investigation by KeyBank and the FBI.
KeyBank SVP Arrested in Alleged $29 Million Embezzlement
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Good news! There has been a dramatic drop in the amount of alerts posted on BOL's Alerts & Counterfeits page. Last month there were thirty-six alerts compared to only seventeen posted so far for this month. A recent alert warns that fraudulent checks bearing the name Horizon Bank, Arlington, Texas, and routing numbers assigned to various other financial institutions are in circulation. There are no active federal or state chartered financial institutions with the name Horizon Bank operating in Texas.
Lottery scam alerts are on the rise this month. Sterling National Bank, Webster Bank, American State Bank and Lafayette Bank & Trust Company all report counterfeit official checks in circulation in connection with lottery scams. Winona National Bank has reported that counterfeit cashier's checks issued in the bank's name and using a correct routing number are being presented for payment locally and nationwide in connection with a mystery shopper scam. California National Bank (doing business as CalNational) has reported that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The counterfeit items are reportedly associated with mystery shopping and lottery scams.
Here is an example of an alert about a work at home scam sent out to members of BOL's CrimeDex service: A victim received a letter and a counterfeit check allegedly from the Shopping Group Inc. informing her that she had been hired as a "secret shopper". The letter stated that she would be making a $50 secret purchase at Wal-Mart, a $40 secret purchase at Gap, then a $2500 wire transfer at Western Union and a $1200 wire transfer at Money Gram. The victim was instructed to call the Shopping Group at 1-519-694-6437 Ext 100 for instructions. When the victim called she was advised to deposit the check and once the check had cleared to call back. At that time they would tell her where to send the wire transfers. The victim looked up the phone number for Artisan's Bank and called them direct. An employee at Artisan's informed her the cashiers check was counterfeit and they had received several calls on them. There is a phone number on the check for Artisan's Bank at 1-800-375-9614. This is not a valid number for Artisan's Bank, although a phone tree answers as Artisan's Bank, of course the first choice is for check verification!
If your institution were a member of BOL's CrimeDex service, you would be able to search the CrimeDex fraud database, build case files as well as receive alerts involving identity theft, check fraud, armed robberies and other crimes. Visit BOL's CrimeDex page to view a demo or sample alert and get more information about how your institution can get full access to the fraud sharing network. Don't forget, you can also submit an alert free of charge by contacting us at
CrimeDex@bankersonline.com
Texas authorities are searching for a wig wearing bank robber who attempted to rob two different banks. At the first bank, the suspect handed the teller a note demanding money but left empty-handed. A couple of hours later, the suspect went to another bank again handing a note to the teller demanding money and this time the teller complied. The suspect could be a female or a male wearing a wig and women's clothes.
In Atlanta, Georgia, three males entered a bank wearing bandanas and hooded jogging jackets and announced they were robbing it. Two of the robbers went behind the teller counter and the third went to stand watch at the entrance. During the robbery, a female customer attempted to leave the bank and was dragged back inside by the robber posted at the entrance.
A bank employee was also dragged from her work station by one of the other robbers. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of money the robbers left in a burgundy SUV. They abandoned the SUV and it was determined that it was stolen earlier that day from Dekalb County, Georgia.
If you would like more information about these suspects or to research other robbery suspects go to BOL's Robbery page and view the pictures and case information. This is just one way that BOL can help keep your institution safe.
FYI: Out of the fifty-two suspects on the robbery page for this month forty-six of them were wearing hats or hoods during the robbery! Order your "No Hats" sign from the Banker Store now and post it in your institution to help bring attention to anyone who does not comply with the request.
How many ways can a bank be robbed? Read how the Royal Bank of Scotland was "robbed" at the ATM as customers waited up to three hours in line.
Does most identity theft start with poor data security, dumpster diving, or simply someone known to the victim? Read about the Javelin Strategy & Research study with some supportive statistics.
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