347: Protecting Your Nonprofit from Fraud (Amy Seintourens)

SUMMARY

This episode is brought to you by TowneBank, whose ongoing support can be a powerful partner for your organization, offering financial expertise, expanded community relationships, and practical advice no matter your budget size. Learn more at TowneBank.com/NonprofitBanking.

Fraud is one of the most underestimated risks in the nonprofit sector - and one of the most disruptive when it strikes. In Episode #347 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, fraud prevention expert Amy Seintourens, SVP and Director of Fraud Management at TowneBank, breaks down the real vulnerabilities nonprofits face today, from internal threats and weak controls to sophisticated email scams, phone spoofing, counterfeit checks, and mail theft. Using clear examples and practical guidance, Amy explains why small organizations can be even more vulnerable and how simple steps - dual controls, treasury services, verification habits, and ongoing team training - significantly reduce risk. Whether you’re a founder handling your own bookkeeping, a board treasurer overseeing internal controls, or a senior leader strengthening organizational resilience, Amy offers straightforward strategies to help you prevent fraud before it happens - not after it’s too late.

ABOUT AMY

Amy Seintourens is the Senior Vice President and Director of Fraud Management at TowneBank, bringing 31 years of experience in fraud prevention and Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance. She began her career in 1994 at Dean Witter, later known as Morgan Stanley, before joining EverBank in 2011, where she gained extensive experience supporting a primarily online bank environment. Amy maintains both her ACAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) and CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) credentials. She joined TowneBank in 2018 to support BSA operations and was promoted in 2022 to lead Fraud Management for the organization. Amy is deeply passionate about educating employees and members, staying ahead of emerging fraud trends, and helping nonprofits and businesses strengthen their internal controls.

RESOURCES

Learn more about fraud prevention at TowneBank.com
TowneBank’s The Shield bi-monthly fraud-prevention newsletter
Let Them by Mel Robbins (Amy’s book recommendation)
Armstrong McGuire
Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership (Audible edition available)

Split The Difference: Markets in EU and UK – equity secondary markets