Banking on Fraudology

In this engaging discussion, Sarah Barnhill, a fraud prevention expert from Western Bank with over a decade of experience, explores the pressing issue of financial exploitation. She highlights the importance of compassion and empathy in supporting vulnerable individuals. Key topics include recognizing fraud red flags, the need for ongoing education for bank staff, and collaboration with law enforcement. Sarah emphasizes creating a supportive environment for victims and shares practical strategies for protecting compromised accounts while ensuring dignity and respect in investigations.

In this episode of Banking on Fraudology, Hailey Windham and Tracy Swaim, AARP Wyoming's Fraud Fighter of the Year, explore the often-overlooked connection between volunteering and effective fraud prevention. Tracy shares her journey from the legal field to fraud investigations, and how her volunteer work with AARP's Fraud Watch Network has given her a unique perspective on fighting fraud. This episode is packed with insights on balancing data analysis with real-world experience, and how understanding the human impact of fraud can make investigators more effective.The conversation covers a range of critical topics, including how to turn raw fraud data into actionable strategies, the importance of tailoring fraud prevention messages to different audiences, and practical ways for fraud fighters to make a bigger impact in their communities. Tracy introduces an innovative analogy comparing data visualization to giving a house tour, offering a fresh way to think about presenting complex information. The episode also dives into the power of storytelling in fraud prevention, explaining how real victim stories can be more impactful than statistics alone.One of the key takeaways from this episode is the transformative effect that volunteering can have on a fraud fighter's perspective and skills. Tracy explains how interacting with real fraud victims has enhanced her investigative abilities and reinforced the importance of thorough investigations. For fraud professionals at any stage of their career, this episode offers valuable advice on finding volunteer opportunities, educating communities about fraud risks, and leveraging these experiences to become more effective in their roles.Tune in now and discover how volunteering can revolutionize your approach to fraud prevention!

Banking on Fraudology is part of the Fraudology Podcast Network.Join Hailey Windham on Banking on Fraudology as she welcomes Becky Holmes, whose book "Keanu Reeves is Not In Love with You" takes a humorous yet poignant look at online romance fraud. This episode dives deep into the psychology of scammers and their victims, revealing how fraudsters isolate their targets and exploit human tendencies to trust. Becky shares memorable interactions with scammers, including hilarious anecdotes that showcase her wit while highlighting red flags everyone should watch for. The discussion takes a serious turn as they explore the stigma surrounding fraud victims and the inadequate response from banks and law enforcement. Becky emphasizes the need for improved customer service in financial institutions and better training for staff to recognize potential fraud victims. The episode also touches on the scale of the problem, with both host and guest agreeing that current statistics likely vastly underestimate the true extent of romance fraud. Listeners will gain valuable insights into protecting themselves and their loved ones from these scams, including the importance of maintaining close relationships and open communication. Tune in now to arm yourself with knowledge and maybe even a few laughs along the way.-------------------------Becky HolmesKeanu Reeves is not in love with you-------------------------About Hailey Windham:As a 2023 CU Rockstar Recipient, Hailey Windham, CFCS (Certified Financial Crimes Specialist) demonstrated unbounding passion for educating her community, organization and credit union membership on scams in the market and best practices to avoid them. She has implemented several programs within her previous organizations that aim at holistically learning about how to prevent and detect fraud targeted at membership and employees. Windham’s initiatives to build strong relationships and partnerships throughout the credit union community and industry experts have led to countless success stories. Her applied knowledge of payments system programs combined with her experience in fraud investigations offers practical concepts that are transferable, no matter the organization’s size. Connect with Hailey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-windham/

Banking on Fraudology is part of the Fraudology Podcast Network. The latest episode of Banking on Fraudology brings listeners a comprehensive look at the state of financial fraud in 2024 and beyond. Hailey Windham sits down with returning guest Karen Boyer, a seasoned fraud expert, to unpack the year's biggest trends and peer into the crystal ball for 2025. Boyer paints a picture of a fraud landscape that remains stubbornly familiar, with check fraud, mail theft, and social engineering scams continuing to plague financial institutions and their customers. However, she notes a disturbing trend of fraudsters becoming bolder, showing up in person at bank branches to execute their schemes.The conversation delves into the technological arms race between banks and fraudsters, with Boyer discussing how financial institutions are harnessing AI and machine learning to detect fraud. She acknowledges the frustrating reality that banks often lag behind criminals in deploying new technologies due to regulatory requirements and internal processes. Windham and Boyer stress the importance of empowering frontline bank staff, arguing that tellers should be viewed not as easily replaceable but as critical guardians against fraud. They discuss the need for better training and support to help staff navigate difficult conversations with customers about suspicious transactions.Looking to the future, Boyer predicts several concerning trends for 2025, including an increase in in-person fraud schemes targeting vulnerable individuals, the expansion of sextortion scams to older populations, and the potential for more "glitch" exploits similar to recent incidents at major banks. She emphasizes the need for a holistic, industry-wide approach to fraud prevention that extends beyond banks to include social media platforms, telecoms, and other sectors that inadvertently facilitate scams.Tune in now to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of financial crime.Episode links:https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nigerian-man-extradited-us-alleged-sextortion-south-carolina-teen-died-rcna189475Karen BoyerAbout Hailey Windham:As a 2023 CU Rockstar Recipient, Hailey Windham, CFCS (Certified Financial Crimes Specialist) demonstrated unbounding passion for educating her community, organization and credit union membership on scams in the market and best practices to avoid them. She has implemented several programs within her previous organizations that aim at holistically learning about how to prevent and detect fraud targeted at membership and employees. Windham’s initiatives to build strong relationships and partnerships throughout the credit union community and industry experts have led to countless success stories. Her applied knowledge of payments system programs combined with her experience in fraud investigations offers practical concepts that are transferable, no matter the organization’s size. Connect with Hailey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-windham/

The latest episode of Banking on Fraudology tackles one of the most critical issues facing the financial industry today - the role of banks in preventing scams. Host Hailey Windham welcomes special guest Ayelet Biger-Levin, a passionate advocate for advancing scam detection and prevention strategies, to discuss why banks are uniquely positioned to make a difference.Ayelet, founder and CEO of Rangers AI, shares her perspective on how banks can leverage their position as trusted entities and guardians of people's finances to protect customers from increasingly sophisticated scams. The conversation covers the regulatory landscape, including emerging liability shifts for authorized push payment fraud in countries like the UK and Australia. Listeners will learn about the true costs of scams for financial institutions beyond just reimbursement, including customer support expenses, lost customers, and diminished deposit values.A key focus of the episode is on empowering customers to play an active role in fraud prevention. Ayelet introduces innovative technologies like her company's Scam Ranger tool that can automatically scan messages to detect potential scams. The discussion also touches on the challenges of balancing technological innovation with accessibility for less tech-savvy customers.Don't miss this informative deep dive into one of banking's most pressing challenges and opportunities.

Banking on Fraudology is part of the Fraudology Podcast Network.This gripping episode of Banking on Fraudology takes listeners on an emotional journey through the world of romance scams, as told by survivor Beth Hyland. Host Hailey Windham guides the conversation, uncovering the intricate details of how Beth was manipulated into sending $26,000 to a man she believed was her soulmate. The episode offers a rare glimpse into the victim's perspective, revealing how intelligent, self-aware individuals can fall prey to these sophisticated schemes. Beth's story illuminates the red flags that often go unnoticed and the psychological tactics scammers use to exploit human emotions. The discussion delves into critical moments where financial institutions missed opportunities to intervene, providing valuable insights for fraud prevention strategies. Listeners will be moved by Beth's vulnerability as she describes her healing process and the complex emotions victims face long after the scam ends. The episode also highlights the crucial role of compassionate, informed responses from professionals like Beth's financial advisor in helping victims recover. This must-listen episode challenges listeners to reconsider their assumptions about fraud victims and offers practical advice for both individuals and institutions to combat these devastating crimes.Linkedin: Beth HylandAbout Hailey Windham:As a 2023 CU Rockstar Recipient, Hailey Windham, CFCS (Certified Financial Crimes Specialist) demonstrated unbounding passion for educating her community, organization and credit union membership on scams in the market and best practices to avoid them. She has implemented several programs within her previous organizations that aim at holistically learning about how to prevent and detect fraud targeted at membership and employees. Windham’s initiatives to build strong relationships and partnerships throughout the credit union community and industry experts have led to countless success stories. Her applied knowledge of payments system programs combined with her experience in fraud investigations offers practical concepts that are transferable, no matter the organization’s size. Connect with Hailey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-windham/ SentiLink is at the forefront of fraud prevention and identity verification, offering innovative solutions to help financial institutions tackle synthetic fraud, identity theft, and more. We’re thrilled to have them onboard as partners in our mission to equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to stay ahead in this ever-evolving landscape.Stay tuned for more great episodes and insights—thanks again to SentiLink for supporting the podcast! Visit: https://www.sentilink.com/ and learn all about them!

In this compelling episode of Banking on Fraudology, host Hailey Windham reunites with Erin West to discuss the latest developments in the battle against pig butchering scams. Erin, who recently retired from her role as a cybercrime prosecutor, shares her transition to leading Operation Shamrock full-time and the organization's evolution into a nonprofit powerhouse. The conversation offers listeners an insider's perspective on the global fight against sophisticated financial fraud schemes.Erin provides chilling details from her visits to scam compounds in Southeast Asia, painting a vivid picture of the human cost behind these crimes. The episode delves into Operation Shamrock's recent accomplishments, including large-scale education initiatives for financial institutions and law enforcement. Hailey and Erin discuss exciting new projects for 2024, such as monthly working groups for bankers and weekly victim interviews to stay ahead of emerging scam tactics. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the complex world of transnational organized crime and learn about the critical need for cross-sector collaboration.Subscribe to Banking on Fraudology and be part of the solution in the ongoing battle against pig butchering scams.Know more about Operation Shamrock-----------------------------About Hailey Windham:As a 2023 CU Rockstar Recipient, Hailey Windham, CFCS (Certified Financial Crimes Specialist) demonstrated unbounding passion for educating her community, organization and credit union membership on scams in the market and best practices to avoid them. She has implemented several programs within her previous organizations that aim at holistically learning about how to prevent and detect fraud targeted at membership and employees. Windham’s initiatives to build strong relationships and partnerships throughout the credit union community and industry experts have led to countless success stories. Her applied knowledge of payments system programs combined with her experience in fraud investigations offers practical concepts that are transferable, no matter the organization’s size. Connect with Hailey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-windham/ SentiLink is at the forefront of fraud prevention and identity verification, offering innovative solutions to help financial institutions tackle synthetic fraud, identity theft, and more. We’re thrilled to have them onboard as partners in our mission to equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to stay ahead in this ever-evolving landscape.Stay tuned for more great episodes and insights—thanks again to SentiLink for supporting the podcast! Visit: https://www.sentilink.com/ and learn all about them!

2025 kicks off with an urgent focus on fraud prevention. Highlights include the rise of social engineering scams and a worrying rebound of check fraud. The host advocates for treating fraud as a key investment rather than a mere expense. She emphasizes the importance of fraud education and shares her recent outreach efforts to local communities. With a mission to connect fraud fighters nationwide, she also presents a calendar of crucial fraud awareness events for the first quarter, setting the stage for proactive collaboration and innovation.

In this episode of the Banking on Fraudology podcast, Hailey Windham sits down with Madison Marquez, a rising star in fraud prevention, to explore how empowering frontline team members can transform an organization's approach to fighting fraud. Madison shares her journey from call center representative to fraud prevention champion through the innovative Fraud Ambassador program. This six-month intensive training initiative, developed by Hayley, aimed to create a network of fraud fighters across all departments. Madison's story illustrates how passion and purpose can drive meaningful change, even without a formal fraud prevention title.The conversation dives into the challenges of fraud prevention in financial institutions, from authentication hurdles to member resistance and training gaps. Madison provides valuable insights into how the Fraud Ambassador program addressed these issues through hands-on projects, collaborative discussions, and real-world case studies. She highlights a particularly impactful session on human trafficking detection that opened her eyes to the proximity of financial crimes. The episode also explores the importance of creating a culture where fraud prevention is everyone's responsibility, not just the fraud department's problem.Don't miss this opportunity to learn from two passionate fraud prevention advocates - tune in now!About Hailey Windham:As a 2023 CU Rockstar Recipient, Hailey Windham, CFCS (Certified Financial Crimes Specialist) demonstrated unbounding passion for educating her community, organization and credit union membership on scams in the market and best practices to avoid them. She has implemented several programs within her previous organizations that aim at holistically learning about how to prevent and detect fraud targeted at membership and employees. Windham’s initiatives to build strong relationships and partnerships throughout the credit union community and industry experts have led to countless success stories. Her applied knowledge of payments system programs combined with her experience in fraud investigations offers practical concepts that are transferable, no matter the organization’s size. Connect with Hailey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-windham/

SentiLink is at the forefront of fraud prevention and identity verification, offering innovative solutions to help financial institutions tackle synthetic fraud, identity theft, and more. We’re thrilled to have them onboard as partners in our mission to equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to stay ahead in this ever-evolving landscape.Stay tuned for more great episodes and insights—thanks again to SentiLink for supporting the podcast! Visit: https://www.sentilink.com/ and learn all about them!----------------------------------In this riveting episode of Banking on Fraudology, host Hailey Windham dives deep into the jaw-dropping $4.5 billion Bitfinex Bitcoin heist - the largest cryptocurrency theft in history. Inspired by the Netflix documentary "Biggest Heist Ever," she unpacks this complex case, offering invaluable insights for fraud fighters and financial institutions alike. Hailey walks listeners through the audacious crime, highlighting how hackers Ilya Lichtenstein and Heather Morgan exploited both technical vulnerabilities and human behavior to pull off their scheme.Tune in now and join the fight against fraud!----------------------------------About Hailey Windham:As a 2023 CU Rockstar Recipient, Hailey Windham, CFCS (Certified Financial Crimes Specialist) demonstrated unbounding passion for educating her community, organization and credit union membership on scams in the market and best practices to avoid them. She has implemented several programs within her previous organizations that aim at holistically learning about how to prevent and detect fraud targeted at membership and employees. Windham’s initiatives to build strong relationships and partnerships throughout the credit union community and industry experts have led to countless success stories. Her applied knowledge of payments system programs combined with her experience in fraud investigations offers practical concepts that are transferable, no matter the organization’s size. Connect with Hailey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-windham/ ----------------------------------Banking on Fraudology is part of the Fraudology Network, and produced by Podyssey.io.