Fraud Investigator

Synovus; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Pinnacle is seeking an Investigator to conduct thorough investigations of potential financial crimes and fraud. You will utilize bank systems and investigative tools to collect, analyze, and report on cases, determining actions on account status and potential legal outcomes.

The role includes enhanced due diligence for high-risk clients, documenting findings, and coordinating with Compliance and Corporate Security to mitigate losses.

Qualifications

• Three years of fraud/financial crimes experience including transaction monitoring.
• Experience analyzing potentially suspicious activity and investigative research.
• Comfort with interviewing clients, employees and suspects.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations of suspected financial crimes and fraud using bank systems and investigative tools.
• Perform enhanced due diligence on high-risk clients and prepare case documentation.
• Input investigation activities and notes into the case management database within five business days.
• Interview clients, employees and suspects; trace financial transactions and assess risk.
• Escalate cases to appropriate departments and prepare SARS reports for compliance.

Skills

Investigative interviewing

Data analysis

Attention to detail

Regulatory awareness

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Case management systems

Job description

Job Summary:

Conducts investigations of potential/suspected financial crimes and/or fraud. Utilizes systems and a variety of investigative techniques and tools to collect, collate, and analyze financial and background information and makes informed decisions concerning client account status/retention. Recognizes and evaluates high risk accounts, potential watch list matches and dispositions, and other suspicious and/or questionable account activity. Analyzes data and determines when cases are to be submitted to law enforcement and/or prosecutors for potential legal action. Takes appropriate action to stop or prevent data or monetary losses by assessing internal controls and procedures team memberd with financial crimes and fraud cases.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conducts investigations of suspected financial crimes and/or fraud. Performs enhanced due diligence on clients designated by regulators as high risk, such as international and large cash clients.
• Utilizes knowledge of bank systems, processes and contacts as resources for conducting investigations. Develops a plan of action and gathers, analyzes and compiles evidence for multiple case assignments. Prepares case documentation and writes a complete final summary report of investigation.
• Inputs all investigation activities and detailed field notes into the case management database within five business days in order to provide a complete summary of the overall investigation. Calculates total attempted fraud amounts as well as total loss amounts on all confirmed fraud cases.
• Interviews clients, employees, and suspects. Traces financial transactions and reviews the background and financial profile of suspected individuals. Works with senior level team members and management to determine when a case should be closed, recovered or charged off when all investigative leads and the potential for recovery have been exhausted. Closes cases in the case management database.
• Communicates with office staff to obtain additional client information and/or information needed for supporting documentation, reports and risk mitigation. Assists office personnel, when necessary, to conduct client interviews to address certain specific alerted transactional issues.
• Escalates cases to applicable Pinnacle department or team based on details of case. Compiles confidential case documents for referral to Corporate Security when law enforcement involvement may be required. Prepares all case-related Suspicious Activity Reports (SARSs) that are forwarded to Pinnacle Compliance within 30 days. Hands off investigations to Pinnacle Audit and/or Compliance when team members are involved.
• Assists with the assessment of internal controls and procedures and with the identification of control breakdowns and makes recommendations to prevent future losses. Assists with determining new procedures to prevent, detect and investigate fraud.
• Maintains updated information on various systems as well as required files and documentation. Ensures records are complete and available for review and audit as needed. Complies with regulatory requirements, security and applicable policies and identifies control and procedural issues. Manages the security of highly sensitive information related to fraud investigations. Participates in special projects as required.
• Each team member is expected to be aware of risk within their functional area. This includes observing all policies, procedures, laws, regulations and risk limits specific to their role. Additionally, they should raise and report known or suspected violations to the appropriate Firm authority in a timely fashion.
• Performs other related duties as required.

The information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Pinnacle is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive work environment.

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Minimum Experience:

Three years of fraud/financial crimes experience including transaction monitoring, investigative research, and analysis of potentially suspicious activity.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• May sit for long periods of time;
• Talk and hear regularly;
• Use of hands, ability to reach;
• Ability to see objects up close or at a distance, use peripheral vision, identify basic colors;
• Up to 10 pounds weight lifting/force exertion required;
• Weight/force exertion required less than 10% of the time;
• Travel required less than 10% of the time.