Senior Fraud Investigator – Digital Payments (Zelle Focus)

Western Alliance Bank • Phoenix, AZ

2d

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Senior Fraud Investigator to join our Security & Fraud Investigations team. This role focuses on identifying, preventing, and recovering losses related to fraudulent activity, with specialized emphasis on Zelle, digital payments, and P2P platforms. You’ll work closely with internal partners and external agencies—including law enforcement, legal teams, HR, and other financial institutions—to protect customers and the organization from financial crimes. Manage and investigate fraud cases across multiple payment channels, including wire, check, ACH, digital payments, and network compromise incidents. Conduct thorough investigations, create detailed case reports, and track recoveries, losses, and related activities. Collaborate with the Fraud Monitoring team to review alerting transactions and identify suspicious activity. Refer appropriate cases to AML, law enforcement, and other relevant entities for action. Educate internal business units on identifying and reporting suspicious activity. Support audits, regulatory examinations, and fraud‑related projects. Identify operational gaps and assist in developing process improvements Digital Payments and Zelle Responsibilities Investigate fraud involving Zelle, P2P payments, and digital wallet ecosystems. Analyze digital transaction trends and detect anomalies across platforms such as Zelle, Venmo, CashApp, PayPal, and RTP. Utilize digital payment risk tools, network data, and Early Warning Services (EWS) resources. Review digital authentication issues, device changes, and account takeover patterns. Recommend fraud‑mitigation strategies including behavioral analytics, velocity controls, and authentication enhancements. Monitor emerging digital fraud schemes and support proactive risk‑management initiatives.

Requirements

• BS/BA preferred (or equivalent work, military, or law‑enforcement experience).
• 3+ years of fraud investigation or financial crimes investigation experience.
• 4+ years of banking or branch operations experience (e.g., check, wire, ACH, digital payments).
• Strong understanding of digital payments, Zelle workflows, and P2P fraud typologies.
• Experience utilizing EWS tools and digital fraud‑detection systems.
• Knowledge of Reg E, identity theft, elder financial exploitation, and electronic payments.
• Strong analytical, communication, and report‑writing skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• High attention to detail; ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Nice To Haves

• CFE or ACAMS certifications preferred

Responsibilities

• Manage and investigate fraud cases across multiple payment channels, including wire, check, ACH, digital payments, and network compromise incidents.
• Conduct thorough investigations, create detailed case reports, and track recoveries, losses, and related activities.
• Collaborate with the Fraud Monitoring team to review alerting transactions and identify suspicious activity.
• Refer appropriate cases to AML, law enforcement, and other relevant entities for action.
• Educate internal business units on identifying and reporting suspicious activity.
• Support audits, regulatory examinations, and fraud‑related projects.
• Identify operational gaps and assist in developing process improvements
• Investigate fraud involving Zelle, P2P payments, and digital wallet ecosystems.
• Analyze digital transaction trends and detect anomalies across platforms such as Zelle, Venmo, CashApp, PayPal, and RTP.
• Utilize digital payment risk tools, network data, and Early Warning Services (EWS) resources.
• Review digital authentication issues, device changes, and account takeover patterns.
• Recommend fraud‑mitigation strategies including behavioral analytics, velocity controls, and authentication enhancements.
• Monitor emerging digital fraud schemes and support proactive risk‑management initiatives.

Benefits

• We offer all the important things you'd want — like competitive salaries, an ownership stake in the company, medical and dental insurance, time off, a great 401k matching program, tuition assistance program, an employee volunteer program, and a wellness program.
• In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to bolster your business knowledge, learning the ins and outs of how successful companies operate and manage their finances, giving you invaluable hands-on experience to help grow your career!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees