FRAUD SPECIALIST

SANDIA AREA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION•Albuquerque, NM

1d•Onsite

About The Position

At Sandia Area, every position plays a vital role in fulfilling our mission to deliver high-value banking and lending services that strengthen the financial well-being of our members and community. Each team member is expected to embody our core values of Service, Sustainability, Efficiency, Trust, Stewardship, and Growth, contributing to our vision of empowering lifelong achievement through better banking. While specific responsibilities vary by role, every position carries universal expectations aligned with its level of responsibility and authority across the organization. As a Fraud Specialist at Sandia Area, you are responsible for delivering excellent service while maintaining personal accountability in your actions and behaviors. By prioritizing member satisfaction and operational efficiency, you directly contribute to the organization’s mission of strengthening financial well-being for our members and community. You are entrusted to uphold our values in every interaction, ensuring trust, accuracy, and a focus on service excellence. Reporting directly to the VP of Support Operations, the Fraud Specialist is responsible for supporting enterprise fraud prevention, detection, investigation support and trend reporting across payment channels and deposit-related activity. This role strengthens risk oversight by centralizing fraud monitoring, escalating emerging threats, and coordinating timely mitigation actions in partnership with internal departments and key vendors.

Requirements

Expertise in fraud concepts, loss prevention practices, and common scam/fraud typologies with a requisite understanding of financial institution operations.
Ability to analyze trends, interpret data, and communicate findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong judgment, attention to detail, and ability to operate calmly with time-sensitive issues.
Ability to work cross-functionally and coordinate activities across departments and vendors.
Exceptional time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple responsibilities, and adapt to a fast-paced environment.
Proactive in seeking professional growth, embracing both formal and informal development opportunities, and demonstrating adaptability to new responsibilities.
Team-oriented with a strong collaborative mindset, actively supporting team members and contributing to a positive and high-performing environment.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ability to perform essential functions, including the ability to lift up to 10 lbs. as needed.
HSD or GED
Two (2)year(s) of applicable experience required.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in fraud, disputes, card services, deposit operations, or risk operations preferred.
Financial Institution experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary Support Operations resource for fraud monitoring, triage, and operational coordination across payment channels (e.g., debit/credit card activity, electronic payments, deposit-related fraud trends, Digital, etc.).
Monitor fraud trends and portfolio indicators; identify emerging patterns, systemic issues, and operational gaps; escalate concerns to leadership with recommended solutions.
Support case review and investigation readiness by ensuring appropriate documentation, timelines, and coordination with internal stakeholders (Card Services, Support Operations, Branch Operations, Member Contact Center, Compliance/Risk).
Coordinate fraud-related vendor engagement and follow-up (e.g., processor inquiries, fraud tools, alerting platforms, network items) to support root-cause analysis and resolution.
Provide reporting and insights to leadership, including trend summaries, root-cause themes, and make recommendations to reduce losses and improve member experience.
Support staff enablement by helping develop fraud awareness materials, internal guidance, and consistent escalation practices (non-procedural, policy-aligned).
Maintain a high level of confidentiality and professionalism due to the sensitive nature of fraud investigations and member information.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to upholding the organization’s mission, vision, and values in all interactions and responsibilities.
Represent the credit union with professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct at all times.
Maintain a thorough understanding and strict adherence to credit union regulations, compliance requirements, policies, procedures, and operational guidelines.
Consistently meet deadlines as assigned while ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and adherence to quality standards.
Foster a positive and supportive environment for both members and employees, ensuring interactions align with the credit union’s mission and service philosophy.
Adhere to all regulatory and compliance policies, upholding the highest standards of security, confidentiality, and ethical financial practices in all interactions.
Maintain the confidentiality and security of information, records, and sensitive data, in compliance with credit union policies and regulatory requirements.
Adapt to evolving responsibilities, taking on additional duties as assigned to support the success of the organization.
Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning, professional development, and staying informed on industry trends and best practices.
Willing to undergo background and credit checks as required by federal and state regulations.
Understand and comply with all policies, procedures, and legal guidelines, including adherence to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and other applicable financial regulations.