A new financial scam is being reported that involves fictitious inheritance or beneficiary payouts. Victims are contacted through email, Google Chat or U.S. mail by scammers claiming to be with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). They say they’re holding money in the victim’s name. The victims are asked to provide general personal information including name, address and telephone number to confirm their identity.
Follow-up communication includes requests for more information like a social security number, bank account details and copies of the victim’s driver’s license and passport. From this point, there are several variations to this scam.
Variation #1: Currency Conversion Scam
Following the initial contact by the scammers, some victims receive a letter with the subject line “Request for Currency Conversion Settlement.” The scammers include an image of the victim’s passport and social security number. The victim is instructed to pay a currency conversion fee of $5,500 for the held funds to be credited to the victim’s bank account.
Variation #2: Deceptive Currency Conversion Request
Another version involves a similar letter with the subject line “Request for Currency Conversion Settlement,” but in this variation the victim is instructed to pay a currency conversion fee of $5,500 for the held funds to be credited to the victim’s bank account.
Variation #3: Compensation Check Scam
Other victims will receive a call or email after the initial contact, and the scammers claim to be employees of the Financial Crimes Division of the OCC. The victims are told the OCC is issuing compensation checks to them for money lost in previous scams. However, in order to receive the money, they must first pay $1500 in attorneys fees. Once the fee is paid, the victim is instructed to pick up their check from an OCC office.
If you are confronted with any of these variations or any other claiming the OCC is holding money for you, it is a scam. Authorities advise you do not respond in any way to these criminals and by no means share any personal information. If you feel that you may have already provided information to a scammer, you should immediately contact FineMark to take steps to safeguard your assets.
For additional information regarding other types of financial fraud, please visit the OCC’s Fraud Resources page, which can also be found from visiting OCC.gov.
