How To Become A Fraud Investigator
Investigate and Administrate as a Fraud Investigator
Fraud may not be seen as a violent crime, but if you are a victim of fraud, it can be one of the most life shattering experiences you have to endure. Companies are most often hit with fraudulent attacks, but whether it be an individual or a huge corporation, it can result in the loss of valuable information, security and lots of money. There are many steps a fraud investigator or examiner need to take in order to determine the act that took place and who could be responsible, so this kind of work requires an appropriate professional education and background to acquire the skills necessary.
Relevant Education
Being qualified for the job means studying in one of a few appropriate fields, as long as at least a 4 year bachelor's degree is obtained in one of them. The fields of business administration, economic crime, criminal justice, law, accounting or fraud management or all relevant to this line of work however if you have 3 years of experience in law enforcement with some additional college courses in areas like conducting interviews or police studies, it could be seen as requirement enough to substitute for this degree. Obtaining any one of the criminal justice degree can also be done online to alleviate any inconvenience of attending school full time, so look up recommended schools like the University of Phoenix Online, Colorado Technical University Online or Kaplan University for information.
Job Duties
In order to get to the bottom of a fraud case, there are many steps a fraud investigator must take. They will interview the victims, witnesses and anyone related, perform research on all financial, personal and medical records and transactions, manage search warrants and conduct surveillance work to get to the bottom of the case. They will then present their findings to the attorneys and prosecutors and may be called on to testify in court. It is essential that they are detailed and accurate in their report writing and that adhere to all laws when collecting evidence and going through documents.
Career Opportunities
This field is quite selective, especially since it will probably grow at a relatively normal rate of about 7% in comparison to other careers in criminal justice according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The slight increase in openings will amount to a higher level of competition for available jobs, so being well educated and properly skilled is key. $44,000 is the general salary to be expected, but the top 10% paid in this field earn more than $70,000 a year, so experience can play a large role in determining your ranking. The bottom line is that a fraud investigator should collect as much relevant police experience and be meticulous to be classified as a top candidate and be eligible for high salary brackets.
Criminal Justice Degree |
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