Those transactions happen in seconds and are quickly forgotten. For Kari Anderson and Sarah Shields, however, they can tell a much larger story.
At First International Bank & Trust (FIBT), Kari and Sarah spend their days reviewing account activity, monitoring fraud trends, and investigating unusual patterns that may warrant a closer look. Their work requires a combination of analytical thinking, attention to detail, and curiosity because what appears routine on the surface isn’t always routine underneath.
While customers see a completed transaction, Kari and Sarah see the details behind it and ask the questions that help keep people protected.
The Stories Behind the Transactions
The types of activity they monitor vary widely. One day might involve reviewing potential check fraud or unauthorized account activity. Another might focus on emerging scam trends, suspicious wire transfers, account takeovers, elder financial exploitation concerns, or other risks that could impact customers.
Staying effective means continuously learning how criminals adapt their tactics and understanding what to watch for next.
“Fraud prevention is only one part of what we do in the BSA & Fraud Department. We also work behind the scenes to identify unusual activity that may indicate financial exploitation, identity theft, or other forms of financial crime. What I enjoy most about my role is knowing that our work can help protect customers from financial loss and exploitation. It’s rewarding to know that each investigation has the potential to stop fraudsters in their tracks and help keep our customers safe.”
While technology plays an important role in fraud detection, much of the work still relies on experienced professionals asking questions, recognizing patterns, and connecting information that doesn’t quite fit.
Fraud investigations often involve multiple pieces of information that, on their own, may not seem significant. The value comes from understanding how those pieces fit together and determining whether additional review is needed.
For customers, this work is largely invisible. Most people never know when an account was reviewed, a potential concern was investigated, or an unusual pattern prompted additional scrutiny. In many ways, that’s a sign the system is working exactly as intended.
The goal is not simply to respond to fraud, but to help identify concerns early and support efforts to protect customers before problems become larger.
Trust Your Instincts
Customers also play an important role by staying informed and paying attention when something does not feel right. Sometimes, recognizing a potential scam starts with simply trusting that instinct.
“Staying educated and challenging yourself to understand emerging scams and fraud trends is one of the best things you can do to avoid falling victim to fraud. In addition, trusting your own intuition can help you navigate potential fraud and exploitation.
“As humans, we have something that goes far beyond any technology can, in my opinion, and that is the ability to feel. We can feel the change in behavior, urgency, or tone. We are living receptors to everything around us.
“If something feels off, it probably is. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Our natural intuition is one of the greatest fraud prevention tools out there.”
Protecting More Than Finances
Kari and Sarah are among the many professionals across the financial industry who spend their careers focused on that mission. While customers see banking through the lens of accounts, loans, and payments, FIBT’s professionals are working behind the scenes to help safeguard those relationships and maintain trust in the financial system.
At FIBT, protecting customers goes beyond processing transactions. It means having dedicated team members who stay informed, pay attention to the details, and remain committed to helping customers confidently navigate an ever-changing financial landscape.