Fraud and Risk Specialist

Zelis•St. Petersburg, FL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Fraud and Risk Specialist reports to the Fraud Team Manager within the Payee Identification and Network Security (PINS) department, which oversees fraud, risk, identity verification, and cybersecurity for Zelis Payments. The team manages onboarding, account servicing, and threats such as account takeover, identity fraud, and cyber-enabled attacks. This role conducts end-to-end investigations into suspicious activity, analyzes data, and produces clear reports outlining findings, risk levels, and recommended actions for both technical and non-technical audiences. Using internal/external tools, threat intelligence, and fraud detection technologies, the specialist assesses risks and mitigates threats including phishing, malware, ransomware, and financial fraud.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
3+ years of experience as a Fraud Analyst, Fraud Investigator, or in a combined Fraud/Cybersecurity role
Industry experience in financial institutions, fintech, or payments companies required; healthcare payments experience preferred
Strong knowledge of fraud schemes, cyber threats (e.g., phishing, malware, ransomware), and prevention/detection methodologies
Familiarity with device fingerprinting, behavioral analytics, and digital identity verification technologies
Experience leveraging fraud detection tools, case management systems, and threat intelligence platforms
Strong investigative report writing skills, with the ability to clearly document complex findings and present actionable insights
Analytical and detail-oriented mindset with strong problem-solving capabilities
Ability to challenge the status quo and contribute to continuous improvement of fraud and cybersecurity strategies

Nice To Haves

Foundational knowledge of SQL (Snowflake, Microsoft SSMS), a plus
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), or similar certifications are a plus

Responsibilities

Monitor and investigate suspicious activity to identify and mitigate financial and cyber-enabled threats, including account takeover, phishing, malware, ransomware, and identity compromise
Conduct comprehensive case investigations, including deep-dive analysis of data from detection tools, device fingerprinting systems, behavioral analytics, and internal/external reporting sources
Correlate fraud signals with cybersecurity indicators (e.g., IP anomalies, device spoofing, unusual login patterns)
Validate suspicious activity using internal systems, third-party tools, and threat intelligence sources
Analyze transaction activity to identify indicators of fraud such as unauthorized payments, account takeover-related disbursements, anomalous transaction patterns, and potential money movement risks
Produce clear, concise, and well-documented investigative reports summarizing findings, evidence, risk assessments, and recommended actions
Communicate confidently with clients via email and phone regarding unusual or confirmed fraudulent/cyber activity, including gathering details and providing updates
Maintain strict confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information throughout investigations
Collaborate with internal and external partners to complete investigations, document processes, and identify opportunities for improvement
Identify gaps in fraud and cybersecurity controls, systems, and policies; recommend enhancements to mitigate emerging threats
Support PINS and key stakeholder groups including Enterprise Fraud, Information Security (Infosec), Compliance, Payment Operations, and Treasury to support investigations and risk mitigation efforts
Assist in the development and refinement of fraud and cyber detection strategies, including rules, alerts, and monitoring frameworks