Fraud Investigator
The Fraud Investigator is responsible for detecting, investigating, and preventing fraud within the organization. They investigate a variety of potential transgressions amongst both members and non-members of the Credit Union, including but not limited to identity theft, money laundering, card fraud, and other fraudulent activities.
Investigation and Analysis :
- Monitor, analyze, and investigate suspicious activity generated by fraud detection systems across all fraud types including payment fraud, online account takeover attempts, check fraud, deposit fraud, ACH, WIRE, new account fraud, debit card, Zelle, and P2P transactions.
- Conduct comprehensive investigations of potential / suspected financial crimes and / or fraud. Utilize systems and a variety of investigative techniques and tools to collect, collate, and analyze financial and background information and make informed decisions concerning customer account status / retention.
- Utilize data analysis, trend monitoring, and reporting tools to identify fraud patterns and proactively mitigate risks.
- Take appropriate action to stop or prevent monetary losses by assessing internal controls and procedures associated with financial crimes and fraud cases.
- Manage the restriction and / or closure of undesirable accounts with effective, reportable tracking.
Reporting and Documentation :
Prepare case documentation and write complete final summary reports of investigations with clear documentation of investigative steps and decisions.Compose comprehensive law enforcement case assignments, followed by court appearances regarding case file testimony related to case files or fraud investigations.Create and send documents to recover funds from other financial institutions by way of Demand Letters and Hold Harmless Agreements.Review and log return checks and place memos and restrictions on accounts.Document and escalate cases appropriately, ensuring investigative steps and decisions are clearly recorded.Collaboration and Communication :
Provide telephone support to internal departments and other financial institutions, and processing partners, for all functions handled within the area, including communications with victimized members and fraud suspects.Provide support to branch network and departments regarding new account applicant decisions, Fraud-In-Progress events and post-911 law enforcement inquiries. Work cross-functionally with internal teams (fraud strategy, digital banking, operations, collections, risk) to close fraud gaps and strengthen controls.Partner with a variety of internal teams, law enforcement, and other financial institutions to identify and combat payment fraud trends including but not limited to ATM, debit card and merchant, Online Banking, and Bill Pay.Provide subject matter expertise on fraud prevention and contribute to training materials and process improvements.Perform other related duties as assigned.What you will need :
High School Diploma or GED required.Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice or related field preferred.Equivalent combination of education and experience required.2+ years of experience in fraud investigations, fraud analytics, or related field with exposure to multiple fraud types including payment fraud, digital banking fraud, and financial crimes investigation required.Comprehensive knowledge of fraud schemes across multiple channels including P2P payment platforms (Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, Apple Pay), check fraud, ACH, wire, card fraud, and online account takeover required.Intermediate proficiency with fraud detection and case management tools such as BioCatch, Verafin, or similar platforms required.Strong decision-making skills that affect internal customers, external members, and vendors required.Ability to utilize data analysis, trend monitoring, and reporting tools to identify fraud patterns required.Ability to work independently, manage multiple investigations, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment required.Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to explain findings, trends, and complex fraud schemes clearly to diverse audiences required.Ability to multi-task and plan and supervise daily work to meet required job deadlines required.Demonstrate competency using Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel) required.AZDL Driver License Valid and In-State preferred.Certified Fraud Examiner preferred.Certified Anti-Money Laundering (CAMS) preferred.Certified Financial Crimes Investigator (CFCI) preferred.