Fraud Detection Specialist

Tompkins Bank & Trust; Village of Brewster (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k) Match

Profit Sharing

Paid Time Off

11 Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Free Parking

Employee Referrals

Job summary

Tompkins Bank & Trust is seeking a Fraud Detection & Investigations Specialist to identify and mitigate fraud and identity theft risks through transaction monitoring and data analysis. You will investigate suspicious activity, document findings, and support regulatory reporting.

The role requires strong knowledge of fraud risks across payment channels, effective collaboration with internal and external partners, and proactive risk mitigation to protect the organization and customers.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required; related study in criminal justice, finance, or business preferred.
• Minimum of three years in fraud detection, investigations, or financial crimes in financial services or related industry.
• Professional certifications in fraud detection (e.g., CFS, CFE, CFRS) preferred.
• Strong knowledge of fraud risks across payment channels (check, ACH, wire, mobile deposit, debit/credit).
• Understanding banking operations and regulatory expectations for fraud and financial crimes preferred.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and evaluate transactional patterns.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple investigations and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for collaboration with stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel and Word.

Responsibilities

• Review alerts from fraud detection systems and analyze account and transaction activity.
• Utilize data, reports, and tools to identify and assess potential fraudulent behavior.
• Conduct investigations using internal and external data sources and document findings.
• Maintain case files and support loss reporting and resolution activities.
• Prepare and submit SARs in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Ensure investigations and documentation meet audit and compliance standards.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, branches, and external institutions.
• Identify trends and opportunities to improve fraud detection processes and tools.

Skills

Fraud detection

Data analysis

Investigations

Regulatory reporting

Communication

Education

High School Diploma

Criminal justice or finance coursework

Tools

Fraud detection systems

Investigative tools

Regulatory reporting systems

Job description

Overview

Position Summary

Responsible for identifying, investigating, and mitigating potential fraud and identity theft risks through the analysis of transactional activity and account behavior. Utilizes fraud detection systems and investigative tools to assess suspicious activity, support case resolution, and provide actionable recommendations. Contributes to the organization’s fraud prevention efforts by identifying emerging trends, ensuring accurate documentation, and supporting regulatory reporting requirements.

Position Goals

• Fraud Detection and Risk Mitigation – Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate potential fraud and identity theft risks through transaction monitoring, data analysis, and investigative practices.

• Investigations and Case Resolution – Conduct thorough investigations and provide well-supported recommendations to resolve suspicious activity and minimize organizational loss.

• Regulatory Compliance and Reporting – Ensure accurate and timely completion of required regulatory filings, including Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), in accordance with established policies and standards.

• Intelligence Gathering and Trend Analysis – Identify emerging fraud patterns and trends through data analysis and collaboration with internal and external partners to strengthen fraud prevention strategies.

• Stakeholder Collaboration and Communication – Partner with internal departments and external institutions to validate information, share insights, and support a coordinated approach to fraud detection and prevention.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Fraud Monitoring and Detection

• Review alerts generated by fraud detection systems and analyze account and transaction activity

• Utilize data, reports, and investigative tools toidentify and assess potential fraudulent behavior

Investigations and Case Management

• Conduct detailed investigations using internal and external data sources

• Document findings,maintain case files, and support loss reporting and resolution activities

Regulatory Reporting and Compliance

• Prepare and submit Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) in accordance with regulatory requirements

• Ensure investigations and documentation meet audit and compliance standards

Collaboration and External Engagement

• Communicate with internal stakeholders, branches, and external financial institutions

• Partner with fraud and financial crimes units to validate fraud activity and identify trends

Reporting and Continuous Improvement

• Prepare investigative summaries and reports for management and stakeholders

• Identify patterns, trends, and opportunities to enhance fraud detection processes and tools

Key Success Factors

Communication: Fosters effective communication by engaging stakeholders with empathy and professionalism, adapting messaging to diverse perspectives, and coaching others to enhance their communication skills. Promotes transparency and constructive dialogue, even in challenging situations, to support a collaborative work environment.

Problem Solving & Decision Making: Demonstrates strong problem-solving and decision-making skills by proactively identifying root causes, evaluating risks, and using data-driven analysis to navigate ambiguity. Applies the Tompkins decision‑making model, takes ownership of outcomes, and confidently recommends solutions based on sound judgment and collaboration.

Risk Management:Demonstrates proactive risk management by anticipating and evaluating risks—both in action and inaction—while making informed decisions even with incomplete information. Stays current with industry trends, engages in business continuity planning, and provides strategic input to leadership, balancing innovation with operational stability.

Customer Focus: Prioritizes customer understanding and feedback to inform decisions, enhance relationships, and improve the customer experience. Collaborates across teams to deliver added value through strong partnerships and shared insights.

Planning & Results Orientation: Effectively communicates expectations and allocates resources to ensure timely, high-quality outcomes, while continuously identifying process improvements and addressing performance gaps. Actively contributes to projects through planning, execution, and collaboration.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required, additional education in criminal justice, finance, business, or a related field preferred

• Minimum of three years of experience in fraud detection, investigations, or financial crimes within financial services or a related industry

• Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CFS, CFE, CFRS) preferred

• Strong knowledge of fraud risks across multiple payment channels, including check, ACH, wire, mobile deposit, and debit/credit card transactions

• Solid understanding of banking operations and regulatory expectations related to fraud and financial crimes preferred

• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, identify trends, and evaluate transactional patterns

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple investigations simultaneously and meet deadlines

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate across internal and external stakeholders

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Word

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) Match
• Profit Sharing
• Paid Time Off
• 11 Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Free Parking throughout Tompkins Bank & Trust
• Employee Referrals

EEO Statement

Tompkins is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity ("EEO") with respect to all team members and applicants for employment and a work environment free from discrimination (including unlawful harassment) based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender non‑conformity, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, marital status, domestic violence victim status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, military or veteran status or status in any group protected by federal, state, or local law.

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Pay Range

USD $29.00 - USD $35.00 /Hr.