Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic
Sara Whitmore

Sara Whitmore

Springfield,OH

Summary

Experienced leader with a strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach and commitment to excellence. Detail-oriented individual with exceptional communication and project management skills. Proven ability to handle multiple tasks effectively and efficiently in fast-paced environments. Recognized for taking a proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues, with a focus on optimizing processes and supporting team objectives.

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Complex Rev. KYC-KYB-KYT-EDD-CDD-CRR

Cash App
03.2024 - Current
  • Improve KYC compliance by conducting thorough customer due diligence and risk assessments.
  • Conduct periodic reviews of existing customers for ongoing due diligence purposes, identifying potential issues and mitigating risks accordingly.
  • Investigative techniques using proprietary systems, Internet, Public Websites and Lexis/Nexis, and Chainalysis.
  • Conduct investigations involving Cryptocurrency to identify potential direct/indirect exposure to concerning wallets IE: darknet market, fraud shops, no KYC exchange, human trafficking, terrorist financing, abuse.
  • Perform quality assurance checks on completed cases, identifying areas for improvement while maintaining high levels of accuracy.
  • Report notable findings or trends relating to financial crime risks to management, supporting informed decision-making around mitigation strategies.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of applicable laws and regulations.
  • Provide training and support to new and current employees, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in KYC practices.
  • Enhance AML compliance by conducting thorough risk assessments and giving upward feedback for effective control measures.
  • Conduct comprehensive AML risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities and areas for improvement.
  • Enhance interdepartmental communication to ensure consistent AML/KYC practices across organization teams.
  • Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
  • Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
  • Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
  • Work closely with additional Compliance team(s) to ensure that all required actions were taken on identified suspicious transactions, contributing to strong compliance culture.
  • Enhance AML/KYC compliance by conducting thorough customer due diligence and risk assessments.
  • Support AML investigations by providing accurate and timely information on customers' financial activities.

Customer Appeals Specialist

Cash App
12.2021 - 03.2024
  • Meticulous review of customer documentation to detect and investigate potential risks or discrepancies.
  • Monitored daily transactions for signs of suspicious activity related to money laundering or terrorist financing.
  • Increased customer satisfaction ratings through timely follow-up on appeal status inquiries, providing accurate information and addressing concerns promptly.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to gather necessary documentation and evidence to support appeals processes.
  • Consistently met or exceeded performance metrics, demonstrating strong understanding of appeals review process and unwavering commitment to achieving positive results for clients.
  • Daily exceeding KPI goals. Managing 3-4 queues per day with differing KPIs. Depending on queue KPI ranged from 16, 33, and 75. Which are consistently met with accuracy.
  • Created, composed and maintained appeal response templates.
  • Coordinated with senior specialist to compose appeal policies, procedures, and responses.
  • Investigative techniques using proprietary systems, Internet, Public Websites and Lexis/Nexis, and Chainalysis.
  • Conduct investigations involving Cryptocurrency to identify potential direct/indirect exposure to concerning wallets IE: darknet market, fraud shops, no KYC exchange, human trafficking, terrorist financing, abuse.
  • Managed multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines under pressure.
  • Conducted assessments of potential team candidates.
  • Serve as subject matter expert for a team of seven for Appeals team.
  • Trained and mentored twelve new personnel hired to fulfill various roles.
  • Developed lesson plans, instructional materials and written policies for two teams and three training courses.
  • Remote

COMS Unacceptable Use Policy Specialist

Cash App
06.2021 - 12.2021
  • Conducted thorough risk assessments to identify potential areas of non-compliance and recommended corrective actions.
  • Assisted in the preparation of regular reports for senior management, detailing compliance activities and progress towards established goals.
  • Stayed current on industry regulations by attending seminars, workshops, and other professional development opportunities.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of applicable laws and regulations.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to improve fraud detection strategies and minimize organizational risk exposure.
  • Evaluated existing policies and procedures, recommending necessary updates to strengthen internal controls against fraud risks.
  • Analyzed transaction patterns by utilizing tools to uncover hidden fraud schemes and threats.
  • Conducted 75-100 thorough investigations daily for suspicious transactions, reducing financial risks and potential losses.
  • Reviewed alerts generated by transaction monitoring systems, ensuring accurate identification of suspicious activity.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of AML regulations and industry best practices, applying this expertise to enhance the effectiveness of transaction monitoring efforts.
  • Mitigated risk by vigilantly identifying potential fraud cases through diligent transaction monitoring activities.
  • Achieved accurate transaction monitoring by diligently reviewing financial records for suspicious activities.
  • Promoted a culture of compliance within the organization through regular communication of transaction monitoring performance metrics and sharing insights on potential areas for improvement.
  • Assisted in the development of two departments policies, procedures, and guidelines for transaction monitoring activities, promoting best practices within the organization.
  • Drafted one guide for 'How to Find and Review a SAR.'
  • Drafted and implemented one training guide training of investigations for terms of service violations.
  • Developed comprehensive training materials to educate colleagues on transaction monitoring best practices, increasing overall team effectiveness.
  • Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning by attending relevant training sessions, webinars, and industry conferences to stay informed of emerging trends and best practices in transaction monitoring.
  • Mitigated potential risks by adhering to strict anti-fraud measures, such as monitoring unusual activity patterns or reporting suspicious transactions to supervisors.
  • Supported fraud prevention efforts by carefully monitoring transactions and reporting suspicious activity.
  • Achieved consistently high-quality scores by adhering to industry standards and best practices for call monitoring.
  • Remote

Senior BSA Analyst

Wright Patt Credit Union
03.2018 - 06.2021
  • Identified customer activity deemed suspicious or potentially fraudulent and prepared reports for committee review.
  • Trained junior analysts, ensuring a well-informed team proficient in BSA/AML regulations.
  • Analyzed situations to determine how best to resolve issues posing potential risks to bank or customers.
  • Responded timely to questions from branches and departments regarding BSA policies.
  • Efficiently managed high caseloads, balancing priorities to ensure all investigations were completed in a timely manner.
  • Prepare regulatory reports, Requests for Information (RFI), Patriot Act 314(b) requests, and SARs (Suspicious Activity Reports).
  • Meticulous review of customer documentation to detect and investigate potential risks or discrepancies.
  • Utilized customer data from diverse sources to craft individual risk assessment profiles.
  • Conducted comprehensive due diligence reviews to ensure regulatory compliance with respect to customer acquisition and retention.
  • Assisted internal staff members with understanding and implementing KYC and AML requirements.
  • Monitored daily transactions for signs of suspicious activity related to money laundering or terrorist financing.
  • Conducted Suspicious Activity secondary reviews providing feedback and training as needed. Including Marijuana Related businesses.
  • SAR filing and acknowledgements.
  • Currency Transaction Report secondary review, filing, and acknowledgement.
  • Conducted audits of internal and external systems.
  • Conducted assessments of potential team candidates.
  • Provided guidance and training to incoming (4) analysts, fostering a collaborative team environment.
  • Beavercreek, OH

Fraud Investigator

WesBanco
03.2015 - 03.2018
  • Identified potential risks by conducting thorough investigations and analyzing transaction patterns.
  • Conducted prompt and thorough investigations on referred files which ranged from 1-25 per day.
  • Monitored account activity in real-time for early detection and swift resolution of potential issues before they escalated into significant losses for the organization.
  • Contributed to risk assessment efforts by identifying vulnerabilities within existing systems that could be exploited by criminals perpetrating fraud schemes.
  • Evaluated customer data to identify and prevent fraudulent activities.
  • Analyzed large amounts of data to find patterns of fraud and anomalies.
  • Reviewed transactions and receipts to identify any suspicious activity.
  • Kept current with industry best practices and attended professional development events to maintain expertise in fraud investigation techniques.
  • Performed detailed background checks on individuals suspected of fraudulent activity to gather critical information needed for successful investigations.
  • Springfield, OH

Education

No Degree - Business

Clark State Community College
Springfield, OH
06.2027

Skills

  • Risk assessment and mitigation
  • FINTECH compliance knowledge
  • AML regulatory knowledge
  • Critical analysis skills
  • Supportive interpersonal skills
  • Collaborative teamwork
  • Effective problem resolution

Certification

  • Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, ACAMS - January 2024
  • Certified Financial Crime Specialist, ACFCS - January 2023

Timeline

Complex Rev. KYC-KYB-KYT-EDD-CDD-CRR

Cash App
03.2024 - Current

Customer Appeals Specialist

Cash App
12.2021 - 03.2024

COMS Unacceptable Use Policy Specialist

Cash App
06.2021 - 12.2021

Senior BSA Analyst

Wright Patt Credit Union
03.2018 - 06.2021

Fraud Investigator

WesBanco
03.2015 - 03.2018

No Degree - Business

Clark State Community College

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