Lydia R. Email and Phone Number

 Received award from Denver District Attorney's office for contributions in cases of fraud and elder financial exploitation resulting in 27 grand jury indictments and 2 additional arrests with felony charges. Prevented at least $90,000 in losses to elderly victims. Provided testimony, reporting, and evidence gathering that was instrumental to cases' success. Primarily responsible for the development and execution of a highly-effective credit union fraud prevention and security program annually responsible for preventing at least $1.7 million in fraud losses to the credit union and its members. Supervise team of analysts in all fraud and security duties. Conduct research and account reviews for fraudulent activity through review of appropriate alerts, reports, disputes, and inquiries. Responded with urgency and appropriate action to instances of potential forgery, abuse, and fraud.  Perform interviews, open source investigations, and forensic reviews of documents and digital records to effectively gather evidence as necessary. Prepare regulatory and other reports of findings and professional conclusion based on evidence, knowledge, and experience. Act as the Credit Union’s primary point of contact for law enforcement, subpoenas, and other inquiries from authorities and provided expert testimony as required before a court of law. Audit branches for compliance with internal security and fraud policies and procedures through remote and in person reviews of premises, documentation, video footage, staff interviews and other records. Prepare reports to management with findings and recommendations.

Conducted research and account reviews for fraudulent activity through review of appropriate alerts, reports, disputes, and inquiries. Responded with urgency and appropriate action to instances of potential forgery, abuse, and fraud. Performed interviews, open source investigations, and forensic reviews of documents and digital records to effectively gather evidence as necessary.Maintained high level of performance upholding the credit union’s anti-fraud program while completing master’s program with high academic achievement. Completed degree focused on management, technology, legal issues, economic crime, fraud analysis, and internet security. Submitted capstone project for publication regarding cutting edge check fraud research.Selected for internal leadership development program and excelled as leader of internal innovation project in 2018.Acted as the Credit Union’s primary point of contact for law enforcement, subpoenas, and other inquiries from authorities and provided expert testimony as required before a court of law.Established and maintained network of financial investigation experts through membership of industry working groups including local chapters of the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and FIRSTeam bank robbery working group.Conducted oversight of branch security through collaborative approach to audits with management. Identified areas of non-compliance and generated detailed findings reports for improvements. Developed and presented updated fraud and security related training to credit union personnel.Obtained NAFCU Certified Bank Secrecy Officer (NCBSO) certification in July 2017.

Senior employee of 3 primarily responsible for the credit union’s fraud investigation program and overall compliance with Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) at financial institution with 100,000 members. Received internal award in March, 2017 for exemplary service and support of the credit union's mission of member focus. Ensured timely submission of thorough, detailed, and relevant reports to the appropriate agencies, advancing national security interests. Performed audits of reports to ensure accuracy and consistency in filings as well as usefulness to law enforcement. Coached junior employees as peer mentor on currency transaction reports, anti-money laundering alerts, Suspicious Activity Reports, and customer service best practices. Acted as support contact of choice for frontline staff on all fraud, compliance, and legal matters. Assisted compliance officer with implementation of a risk assessment program, enterprise risk management, BSA & OFAC training, and physical security of all branches and departments. Acted as the Credit Union’s primary point of contact for law enforcement, subpoenas, and other inquiries from authorities. Designed and updated departmental and organizational procedures to mitigate identified risks including notary guidelines, fraud investigation procedures, and identifying counterfeit cashier's checks. Supported departmental leadership during successful examinations performed by the NCUA and an independent external audit firm with no significant findings.

Supported Risk Analyst in maintaining BSA, OFAC, and fraud program that had no significant findings by NCUA and external examiners for 2014, 2015, and 2016. Completed 50% of all SARs, CTRs, regulatory report audits, and behavioral alerts for institution of $1 billion in assets. Designed and implemented organizational procedure and training on mandatory reporting of elder abuse for new Colorado law effective July 1, 2014. Maintained and grew network of financial crime investigators in local area through robbery and financial crime group memberships and collaboration. Received recognition as Member of the Year in December 2015 from the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators for contributions in a grand jury racketeering case. Participated in investigation, testimony, and prosecution and furthered the chapter’s aim of cooperation between private and public sector financial crimes investigations Obtained Bank Secrecy Act Compliance Specialist (BSACS) from CUNA.

Excelled as a peer leader in a service-oriented branch requiring expert level knowledge in all areas of credit union operations. Provided exceptional member service while cross-selling credit union products with the goal of improving member relationships and financial well-being. Mentored new employees and assisted branch management by writing procedures, consulting on yearly business plans, and performing surprise drawer audits. Acted as detail-oriented advocate for members experiencing fraud and educated members and colleagues about identity protection as audit specialist in training. Pursued mentoring relationship and showed willingness to learn from Internal Audit and Risk Management departments through internal job shadow program. Exhibited effective problem-solving skills while conveying passion, motivation and enthusiasm for helping others.

Assisting with booking vaccine appointments for individuals unable to locate and secure an appointment on their own.Navigating complicated vaccine scheduling sites and promptly and accurately filling in appointment applications that suit the requestors.Protecting personal information and medical privacy with ethical and secure communication practices.