Overview
The Fraud Investigations Officer serves as a lead within the Investigations Unit of the Financial Crimes Prevention (FCP) Fraud Division, providing technical leadership, guidance, and coordination while performing all responsibilities of a senior fraud investigator. The Officer manages comprehensive external fraud investigations across all fraud typologies to detect and prevent losses to the Bank and its clients and contributes to internal investigations and division projects as assigned. The role exercises independent judgment within assigned authority, documents evidence-based investigative decisions, and escalates matters requiring additional approval or specialized review.
As a subject-matter expert across multiple fraud typologies and investigative disciplines, the Officer contributes to training and mentoring, prepares investigative and management reporting, and collaborates with clients, internal business partners, other financial institutions, and law enforcement to mitigate financial, operational, and reputational risk. The position requires strict adherence to applicable regulatory requirements, internal policies, and payment network rules, including Regulations E, CC, GG, and V; FCRA; the FACT Act; the Bank Secrecy Act; NACHA rules; and Visa Operating Rules.
What You'll Do:
- Investigate and manage fraud cases across all fraud typologies, including reviewing allegations, analyzing data, interviewing suspects, witnesses, and other relevant parties, and maintaining timely documentation and concise, evidence-based case summaries in accordance with established procedures.
- Independently evaluate complex, sensitive, or non-routine fraud matters and determine the appropriate investigative approach, scope, and case progression within assigned authority.
- Provide coverage of the Fraud Investigation Inbox as needed and respond to inquiries related to fraud cases or concerns.
- Facilitate fraud recovery efforts to minimize losses to the Bank and clients, including processing recovery requests from other financial institutions for check fraud claims and tracking pending items.
- Review surveillance records available through authorized systems to advance case investigations, identify relevant activity, and document findings in the investigative record.
- Prepare investigative materials for case progression and reporting by conducting research and compiling supporting data.
- Identify and communicate fraud trends seen across multiple clients or accounts.
- Interact professionally and effectively through verbal and written communication with clients and business lines.
- Review transactional reports to identify potentially fraudulent activity and document findings. Take appropriate action within assigned authority, including placing or removing account restrictions and memos when authorized, and escalate actions requiring additional approval.
- Serve as a subject-matter expert across multiple fraud typologies, investigative disciplines, and fraud-mitigation processes. Provide technical guidance to branch and internal teams regarding suspicious, unusual, or potentially fraudulent activity and complex investigative matters.
- Contribute to maintaining current procedures related to the job function by documenting new procedures and updating existing ones.
- Remain current on evolving fraud trends through training, workshops, and networking engagements.
- Adhere to all Bank policies, procedures, and required compliance training, including BSA/AML and U.S. Patriot Act obligations.
- May attend criminal and civil court proceedings as necessary to complete the prosecution of cases.
- Prioritize tasks to meet deadlines and work assigned cases with urgency while maintaining accuracy.
- Evaluate investigative findings to support Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) determinations and prepare supporting documentation and SAR narratives as assigned. Document the rationale for recommended determinations and route materials through the established review process.
- Submit SARs when authorized and required, in accordance with applicable requirements and internal procedures.
- Provide guidance to clients on the appropriate course of action and provide fraud prevention counseling as needed, including malware, phishing, and wire fraud.Maintain confidentiality surrounding fraud methods and investigations.
- Perform other assignments as directed by the Fraud Director.Network and develop effective contacts in the private, public, and government sectors to facilitate fraud investigations.
- Train and mentor Fraud Investigators and Investigation Support Specialists, share investigative best practices, and contribute to the development and delivery of training to strengthen team knowledge and case-handling capabilities.
- Prepare investigative and management reports on case activity, trends, losses, recoveries, and project progress to support division oversight and informed decision-making.
- Serve as a lead by coordinating investigative work, helping resolve complex case issues, supporting team priorities within assigned authority, and identifying and promptly escalating risk-related issues to management.
- Contribute to division projects and process improvements as assigned by conducting research, coordinating assigned activities, tracking milestones, and communicating progress, risks, and issues.
- Contribute to internal investigations as assigned by gathering and analyzing relevant records, documenting findings, and coordinating with authorized internal partners while maintaining confidentiality and following established protocols.
Qualifications
- 8-10 years of financial fraud investigation or fraud related experience including experience handling complex cases and providing technical guidance, training, or mentoring.
- Strong understanding of financial transactions, banking operations, and fraud mitigation processes.
- Strong knowledge of Banking Regulations such as GLBA, UCC, REG E, REG CC, FACTA ID THEFT.
- Proficiency in relevant systems, fraud monitoring tools, and Microsoft Office applications.
- Strong analytical, investigative, fact-finding, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including the ability to analyze potential fraud and loss recovery and address problems involving multiple variables in standardized and complex situations.
- Ability to manage multiple cases and shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment, work under pressure, and meet deadlines while maintaining a professional and service-oriented approach.
- High attention to detail and accuracy in documentation.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with clients, team members, and internal and external partners.
- Sound judgment and ability to independently evaluate complex or non-routine matters and make investigative decisions within assigned authority.
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Education
