Financial Crimes Investigator

SUMMARY

The Financial Crimes Investigator role is primarily responsible for Monitor and review financial and non-financial transactions for fraud and triaging, and appropriately mitigating fraud risk based upon automated alerts, credit union reports, and internal and external escalations. 

Under the direction of the Fraud Officer, the Financial Crimes Investigator is responsible for executing and documenting comprehensive and effective investigations of fraud incidents and member claims by collecting evidence, researching activity, and interviewing claimants, witnesses, and victims of fraud and scams. Acts as a first point of contact in responding to both internal and external inquiries made to the CoastHills Credit Union Fraud Department. Maintains regulatory compliance in all mitigation and investigatory actions. Creates and submits SAR reporting to FinCEN as required and supports internal reporting through case and data management as assigned by the Fraud Officer. Works closely with internal partners to understand emerging fraud trends identified by front lines and 1FloD and advises on potential response actions escalating when appropriate. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of this position. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs. 
• Reviews and monitors consumer and business accounts for unusual or suspicious activity. Responsible for working with and monitoring suspicious items across various complex fraud detection tools and systems. 
• Uses multiple reporting mechanisms to monitor and analyze member transaction data to prevent fraud by identifying suspicious activity patterns across all banking channels and member interfaces.
• Conducts daily triage of automated, manual, and referred fraud monitoring alerts and reports and performs mitigating actions. 
• Uses a risk-based approach to balance fraud mitigation with a positive member experience.
• Investigates incidents of suspected financial and non-financial fraud by gathering data from multiple sources, conducting interviews, researching transactions, and analyzing evidence to identify risk, determine credit union financial liability, and provide case resolution.
• Acts as first point of contact for the department’s internal and external inquiries and escalations by email, messaging, and phone to assist in researching potential and actual fraudulent incidents, share best practices, and provide risk alerts.
• Works proactively with internal partners to deliver ad hoc guidance in fraud incident CU actions and to optimize loss avoidance and recovery strategies across multiple channels.
• Maintains case documentation in accordance with credit union standards including creating and submitting to the Fraud Officer for review all regulatorily reporting.
• Conducts time-sensitive investigations of alerted and referred transactions and individuals for suspicious activity, utilizing several internal and external resources, including law enforcement. 
• Counsels members on identity theft and appropriate protection mechanisms; coordinates or assists with recovery of losses due to fraudulent, illegal or improper activities.
• Escalates complex investigations, internal fraud incidents, and incidents with significant exposure/risk to the CHCU Fraud Officer.
• Assists in the development and implementation of appropriate policies, procedures, disclosures, notices, and forms to comply with legislative and regulatory changes or new requirements related to fraud prevention or security.
• Assists with the preparation of monthly reports to keep management informed of fraud related activities. 
• Prepares and submits FinCEN SAR reports to Fraud Officer for regulatory reporting. 
• Maintains direct and current working knowledge of Credit Union policies, procedures, and services.
• Pursues specialized fraud prevention training to keep abreast of local, state, and federal trends.
• Maintains current knowledge of the Red Flag Rules, FACT Act, Implementing Rules to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Bank Secrecy Act and all related anti-money laundering and OFAC regulations.
• Maintains awareness of and adheres to applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Regularly attends and participates in in-house training. 
• Performs duties as assigned by management and may be assigned to work at any location. 

COMPETENCIES

Critical Thinking

Attention to Detail

Organization

Communication 

Member Service Orientation 

Judgment

QUALIFICATIONS

The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required to perform the essential functions of this position.

Education and Experience

Three or more years increasingly responsible related experience within a financial institution or an investigations environment. Knowledge of credit union operational activities and a variety of federal and state laws and regulations.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations

CFE/CFCA Preferred

Knowledge

Well-rounded background in all aspects of credit union department functions, policies, and procedures. Credit union laws and regulations.

Well versed in financial fraud schemes and investigation strategies. 

Advanced skills with MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) required, as well as auditing software.

Other Skills and Abilities

Ability to be bonded.

Operates a variety of office equipment, machines, audio/visual equipment and aids, cameras and other digital equipment.

Travels, attends, and participates in meetings, seminars, and conferences held before and after normal business hours that may require unaccompanied long-distance travel and overnight lodging.

Ability to work a variety of hours, including evenings and weekends.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EEO STATEMENT:

CoastHills is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, transitioning status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, medical condition, mental disability, physical disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. 

For our EEO Policy Statement, please click here.  If you’d like more information on your EEO rights under the law, please click here.