Fraud & Financial Crimes Investigator BSA/AML Compliance

CHRISTINE SIMPSON

Fraud & Financial Crimes Investigations · BSA/AML · SAR/CTR Quality Review · Reg E · OFAC · AI Governance in Regulated Environments

NC (Remote) · 828-***-**** · ******@*****.*** · linkedin.com/in/christine-simpson-0b860a14

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Fraud and financial crimes professional with 19+ years in banking, credit union, and property management leadership, working where fraud first meets the customer. At the branch, investigated fraud near-daily, prepared SARs and CTRs and trained staff to write them, submitted counterfeit notes to the U.S. Secret Service, and helped turn over evidence on a fraud ring to the FBI. In property management, uncovered fraudulent contracts hiding a true 50% occupancy behind a reported 80%, then helped lead the recovery to 90%. NMLS-registered lender with a 100% audit pass rate across every role, and U.S. Army Reserves veteran who served as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) legal assistant. Now brings that discipline to AI in fraud and AML: when AI flags activity, the flag is not the decision, and someone must still be able to explain what the system did and whether the decision holds up under audit.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Fraud Investigations & Evidence: Identity theft, synthetic identities, account takeover, phishing and vishing, card and check fraud, counterfeit currency, wire fraud, scams, elder financial abuse, fraud rings, document manipulation, pattern identification, case reconstruction, and court-ready evidence.

BSA/AML & Reporting: SAR and CTR preparation and narrative writing, SAR quality review and staff training, OFAC screening, CIP/KYC and CDD/EDD, Reg E investigations, transaction and ledger analysis, flow-of-funds review, wire review, and subpoena and legal-process evidence handling.

Risk, Controls & Regulatory Compliance: Operational controls, audit readiness, regulatory procedures, FCRA adverse-action processing, documentation standards, control-gap identification, workflow improvement, evidence-based escalation, communicating case outcomes, and account remediation.

Banking & Lending: Consumer, small business, and mortgage lending (NMLS registered); business expense report and financial documentation review; business accounts; and vault, cash, and ATM controls and audits.

Specialty & Fiduciary Accounts: Trust, estate, conservator, representative payee, POA, IOLTA, escrow, UGMA, FSA, and payable-on-death accounts.

Systems: Verafin, FICO Falcon, Oracle FCCM, LexisNexis, FinCEN BSA E-Filing, Salesforce CRM, RealPage OneSite, Yardi, Verifast; case-management workflow experience transferable to Actimize, FCRM, and Bridger.

Property Records Used in Fraud Detection: Resident ledgers, identification pages, and occupancy and resident files (RealPage OneSite Classic and current, Yardi, RentCafe), payment histories (OneSite Payments), invoices and vendor payments (Ops Invoice), prospect and leasing records (Knock, Loft), and applicant identity and income verification (Verifast).

Leadership, Operations & Process Improvement: Team leadership and training, cross-functional collaboration, customer and stakeholder communication, vendor coordination, structured workflows, documentation control, process improvement, data-driven decision-making, software implementation support, workflow transitions, and user training.

Office & Administration: Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace, annual budget management, weekly and monthly reporting, variance reports, invoice coding and processing, vendor contracts and approvals, staff scheduling, and travel coordination.

AI Governance & Responsible AI: Evidence qualification, edge-case testing, unsupported-claim detection, AI-assisted workflow governance, Architecture Decision Records (ADRs), governance methodologies, severity taxonomy and error classification, calibration standards, reviewer independence and recusal, authority boundaries, decision provenance, structured review protocols, auditability, escalation and remediation workflows, and verification of AI-assisted outputs.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Project Director Liora, Independent AI Governance Project Remote 06/2025 - Present

●Direct an independent AI governance R&D project focused on how AI should operate inside regulated environments, applying 19+ years of regulated-industry controls (evidence standards, segregation of duties, escalation, audit trails) so every AI-assisted decision stays explainable, attributable to an accountable human, and defensible under audit.

●Designed a governed workflow (intake, routing, governance review, identity check, response) with a SHA-256 chained audit ledger, implemented as a Phase 1 LangGraph prototype in Python built with AI coding assistance.

●Originated, co-authored, and adversarially reviewed Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) within a multi-contributor process, and direct their ratification under documented change control, holding final decision authority over what is adopted.

●Built a fault-report corpus of 13 documented AI judgment failures across multiple AI systems, and designed the independent review methodology behind it: a severity taxonomy (advisory, significant, critical), a calibration floor before any finding could inform standards, independence and recusal rules so no reviewer validates its own work, and adversarial and edge-case testing to find gaps before approval.

Lease-Up Community Manager Provence Real Estate LLC NC, GA, FL 06/2024 - 06/2025

●Took over a high-risk lease-up property reporting 80% occupancy and uncovered fraudulent contracts revealing true valid occupancy of about 50%. Led onsite execution of the recovery plan set weekly with ownership and executives: door-to-door contact, constant follow-up calls, delinquency notices vetted against legal requirements, and evidence prepared for law enforcement. With the onsite team, legal counsel, and ownership, raised valid occupancy to 90%, eliminated fraudulent tenancies, and cut delinquency from roughly $500,000 to under $10,000.

●Uncovered the resident-file fraud behind the inflated occupancy: identity theft, synthetic identities, altered documents, fabricated employment and income, wire fraud, money laundering, embezzlement, and theft. Reconstructed applications and transaction histories, identified recurring patterns, and prepared court-ready evidence for management, counsel, and police.

●Traced the recurring fraud pattern to a gap in applicant screening, then developed and implemented a company-wide entity-verification control to close it.

●Approved applicant screening on 10-30 active files weekly using RealPage background results and, after the Yardi migration, Verifast identity and income verification. Interviewed applicants on borderline files, prepared evidence-supported exception requests for upper management, and completed FCRA adverse-action processing.

●Ran four communities in succession across NC, GA, and FL (three lease-up, one stabilized): recruited and trained a self-sufficient team, directed maintenance with weekly quality audits, managed the community budget and reporting, maintained the OneSite data that fed AI Revenue Management (AIRM) forecasting and, in AIRM meetings, reviewed occupancy and budget forecasts, translating them into team goals and the strategies to reach them, and trained users through the company's RealPage-to-Yardi migration.

Branch Manager (NMLS) / Float Client Relationship Consultant IV U.S. Bank Cannon Beach, OR 04/2021 - 06/2024

●Raised sales 15% across all eight branches, primarily through coaching: held staff to clear standards, coached them on personal growth as well as performance, and led with a positive example, while personally contributing sales and meeting every individual goal.

●Served as the first line of defense for customers hit by fraud, working cases near-daily from customer reports, audit and compliance referrals, and independent detection: Reg E disputes, identity theft, account takeover, phishing, vishing, card fraud, counterfeit checks and currency, wire fraud, scams, and elder financial abuse. Interviewed customers, analyzed transactions and ledgers, reconstructed events, and escalated documented evidence to Fraud, BSA, Compliance, and wire-review teams.

●Secured compromised accounts by locking access, freezing accounts, and reissuing accounts, cards, and credentials with documented justification, then explained outcomes to customers and taught scam prevention firmly but with empathy, with one simple rule: "When in doubt, come in and we'll tell you if it's fraud."

●Reviewed wire transfers before release and performed OFAC screening, CIP/CDD/EDD reviews, and account-opening verification to identify unusual activity, account compromise, beneficial-ownership concerns, exploitation risks, scams, and regulatory red flags. Prepared and completed SARs and CTRs directly in the bank's reporting system, drafting SAR narratives covering who, what, when, where, why, and how, and completed SSF 1604 submissions for suspected counterfeit notes to the U.S. Secret Service.

●Handled subpoenas and legal process requests, preparing supporting evidence for Legal, and as an authorized Medallion Signature Guarantee signer verified legal authority on trusts, powers of attorney, and estates.

●Trained employees and managers on BSA/AML requirements and on writing SARs and CTRs, and reviewed every SAR for accuracy, completeness, and narrative quality, giving corrective feedback; also trained staff on the bank's reporting software, fraud detection, phishing and social-engineering risks, Reg E, documentation standards, operational controls, regulatory procedures, and customer-risk identification.

●Rotated across eight branches as acting branch manager and float relationship consultant, performing surprise counterfeit-currency, vault, and ATM audits, originating consumer and business loans (NMLS registered) while reviewing business expense reports and financial documentation for each application, and maintaining a 100% audit pass rate.

Member Service Manager Wauna Federal Credit Union Astoria, OR 06/2020 - 03/2021

●Took over a bottom-ranked branch during the COVID-19 pandemic and turned it into the region's #1 performer, improving overall branch performance 65% while maintaining a 100% audit pass rate. Rebuilt a divided, internally competitive team into one that supported each other through hands-on coaching, disciplined financial controls, and continuous process improvement, while keeping cash operations, ATM services, physical security, and regulatory compliance running through pandemic disruption.

●Identified a fraud ring already under FBI investigation and helped turn the evidence over to the FBI. As the branch's fraud front line, investigated identity theft, check and wire fraud, elder financial abuse, and Reg E/ATM disputes, compiling evidence and escalating for disposition. Locked online banking and issued temporary passwords for compromised members. Investigated cash discrepancies, failed ATM dispenses, and ledger variances, and oversaw ATM balancing, replenishment, and ledger integrity.

●Supervised and developed staff, resolved escalated member issues, trained employees on BSA/AML requirements and fraud red flags, and originated personal and business loans.

Personal Banker IV Truist (formerly SunTrust) Summerville, SC 01/2020 - 06/2020

●Helped local business clients through the COVID-19 shutdown by splitting the local business list with the branch manager, reaching out to every business on it, and guiding clients through Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.

●Grew sales production 25% and ranked in the region's top five personal bankers with top-tier Voice of the Client ratings and a 100% campaign success rate; originated consumer and business loans, lines of credit, and credit cards, opened accounts, and detected and escalated suspicious activity.

Senior Relationship Banker Synovus Bank Mount Pleasant, SC 10/2018 - 10/2019

●Exceeded sales goals by 35%, ranking in the region's top five, by originating consumer and small business loans and lines of credit (NMLS registered), reviewing business expense reports and financial statements for each application, and building referrals through CPAs, attorneys, real estate agents, and community financial presentations.

●Partnered with compliance teams to maintain audit excellence, detecting and escalating suspicious activity, freezing compromised accounts, promoting secure digital-banking adoption, and training staff on regulatory procedures and data protection.

Property Manager / Regional Manager Great Western Management Asheville, NC 05/2017 - 08/2018

●Took over four affordable-housing communities with low occupancy, three of them failing compliance audits, brought all three to passing and kept the fourth passing, all while raising occupancy to over 90%. Reduced Section 8 and HUD audit findings from major issues to minor ones by auditing, reconstructing, and validating tenant records, updated policies to address even the minor findings, generated regulatory reports, and trained property managers on Fair Housing requirements and compliance workflows.

●Restored safety at a community with entrenched drug-related criminal activity, working closely with local law enforcement, preparing court-ready evidence and legal documentation, and carrying evictions through the full legal process and presenting them in court without an attorney.

Financial Services Consultant Bank of the West Lincoln City, OR 06/2015 - 10/2016

●Brought the branch to its sales goals with a 15% sales increase, ranking in the region's top five, by building relationships with affluent clients and centers of influence and originating consumer and business loans and lines of credit (NMLS registered).

●Upheld banking regulations and fraud-prevention standards: detected and escalated suspicious activity, froze compromised accounts, audited vault, teller drawer, and ATM cash, and trained staff on deposit and lending products.

Personal Banker U.S. Bank Lincoln City, OR 08/2011 - 06/2015

●Identified transaction irregularities, potential identity theft, and check-fraud risks through transaction review and customer interactions, escalating concerns while maintaining strong audit performance and compliance with federal regulations, banking policies, operational controls, and documentation standards.

●Primary contributor to the 25% growth that won the fourth-quarter, year-end sales campaign, ranking in the region's top five and originating consumer and business loans and lines of credit (NMLS registered).

●Trained tellers and employees on deposit and lending products and banking operations, and handled branch cash controls, including vault, teller drawer, and ATM audits and ATM balancing.

EDUCATION, TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Education: Criminal Justice Coursework, including Forensic Psychology Colorado Technical University

Professional Development: Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate (In Progress), Coursera; Google Project Management Certificate (In Progress), Coursera; TryHackMe Cybersecurity Labs & Hands-on Training; Banking Management Coursework, U.S. Bank

Training & Recognition: Oregon State Notary Educational Training; Outstanding Service Award, Bank of the West

Community Leadership: Vice President, Kiwanis chapter, leading community fundraising events including bingo nights, car washes, auctions, and fairs; volunteer, Family Promise and My Sister's Place, conducting client intakes and financial counseling.

REGULATORY KNOWLEDGE

Banking Regulations (annual compliance training throughout 19+ years): Reg B (ECOA), Reg C (HMDA), Reg CC, Reg D, Reg DD, Reg E (including the Remittance Transfer Rule), Reg F (FDCPA), Reg GG, Reg J, Reg O, Reg P (GLBA), Reg V (FCRA and FACT Act), Reg X (RESPA), Reg Z (TILA), Reg BB (CRA).

Lending: SAFE Act (NMLS), TRID, Ability-to-Repay and QM rules, HOEPA, fair lending, Military Lending Act, SCRA, Homeowners Protection Act, CARD Act, loan originator compensation rules, Flood Disaster Protection Act, SBA and CARES Act (PPP) lending.

BSA/AML & Fraud: BSA, USA PATRIOT Act and CIP, CDD and Beneficial Ownership Rule, OFAC, monetary instrument and funds transfer recordkeeping, Travel Rule, structuring, 314(a) and 314(b) information sharing, Red Flags Rule, Senior Safe Act, state vulnerable adult protection laws; Canada border banking, including CMIR (FinCEN Form 105), Northwest HIDTA monitoring, and cross-border bulk cash and drug-proceeds typologies.

Deposits & Payments: UCC Articles 3, 4, and 4A, Check 21, ACH and card network rules, FDIC insurance (including pass-through coverage), federal benefits garnishment rule, Treasury reclamation, unclaimed property, E-SIGN Act, Medallion Signature Guarantee, notary law, state money transmission, Canadian dollar exchange and foreign check collection, foreign national accounts (W-8BEN), and account rules for representative payee, POA, guardianship, conservatorship, UTMA/UGMA, IOLTA, ABLE, and special needs trust accounts.

Consumer Protection, Privacy & Security: UDAAP (Dodd-Frank and Consumer Financial Protection Act), GLBA Safeguards Rule, Right to Financial Privacy Act, TCPA and Do Not Call, Credit Practices Rule, Holder in Due Course Rule, Bank Protection Act, Bank Bribery Act.

Accessibility & Disability: ADA Titles I and III, 2010 ADA Standards (including accessible ATMs), Section 504, Fair Housing reasonable accommodations and modifications, assistance animals, Fair Housing design and construction requirements, UFAS, Architectural Barriers Act, accessible communications and relay services, FMLA.

Property Management: Fair Housing Act, FCRA tenant screening and adverse action, HUD and Section 8, HUD Handbook 4350.3, EIV, LIHTC (Section 42), VAWA, REAC and NSPIRE inspections, lead-based paint disclosure, state landlord-tenant and security deposit laws, CARES Act 30-day eviction notice.

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