Fraud Investigator

Fraud comes in many packages. While the nightly news highlights monumental cases of CEOs and Investment Bankers creating elaborate schemes to embezzle money from customers or investors, most fraud happens on a much smaller scale. For example, the drug dealer down the street holds a part-time job making fake money, or an employee at an insurance company helps a friend make a false claim.

Whatever the situation, it’s your job as a Fraud Investigator to find the evidence that leads to the arrest and conviction of these criminals. This is done in a variety of ways, and requires a Fraud Investigator to have a keen eye for detail, outstanding listening and communication skills, and strong ethics. Common cases involve false accounts; insurance fraud; misuse of funds; charge card or check theft; or employees who bend the rules on returns, bank deposits, or company policies for their own benefit.

When an employer, Fraud Examiner, board of directors, or other interested party suspects fraud, the Fraud Investigator follows the evidence trail and works to build a case against the accused. This means that you interview coworkers, family members, friends, and anyone else who might have information. For example, if the case involves stolen checks, you talk with bank employees and Postal Workers. You might also set up your own surveillance, review transaction records, analyze signatures, and examine recorded video of the accused.

Whether you work freelance or for an insurance company, a bank, a Private Investigator, or the government, you gather indisputable evidence and help penalize those guilty of fraud.