Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Upstart is an AI-powered lending marketplace that partners with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit. The Fraud Analyst will own first-line fraud detection and investigation across secured lending products, analyze fraud trends and typologies, prepare escalation and SAR referral packages, and collaborate with Operations, Risk, Compliance, Legal, and Quality Control to strengthen fraud controls.
Responsibilities
- Own first-line fraud detection and investigation across your assigned secured lending product line(s), monitoring for suspicious activity and fraud indicators across application, origination, and servicing
- Investigate key fraud risks and emerging typologies, including application fraud, identity fraud (true-name and synthetic), income and employment misrepresentation, collateral fraud, and Auto dealer-related fraud patterns
- Investigate product specific fraud typologies including occupancy misrepresentation, valuation inflation, and undisclosed liabilities or loan stacking
- Prepare comprehensive fraud escalation and SAR referral packages for review — documenting facts, evidence, typology, and recommendations
- Conduct early payment default (EPD) fraud file reviews — performing fraud indicator review on loans reaching 60+ days past due within 90 days of origination
- Monitor and analyze fraud trends across origination channels, including application fraud rates, dealer-level fraud indicators, geographic concentrations, synthetic identity patterns, and channel-level risk signals; producing fraud metrics and trend reporting
- Maintain dealer fraud scorecards (Auto) and channel-level fraud indicator tracking, including pattern-based referrals and dealer suspension triggers in coordination with Vendor Management and dealer oversight functions
- Integrate closely with the Secured Lending QC team — triage fraud-related alerts surfaced by the QC Engine's daily monitoring output; provide typology and red flag feedback to improve detection rules and origination controls
- Coordinate across Operations, Compliance, Legal, and Risk on fraud control enhancements, law enforcement information requests, and regulatory response support
- Proactively identify regulatory risks related to fraud in your product line(s) and adjacent areas, including obligations under OCC Bulletin 2019-37, FFIEC BSA/AML Manual, Red Flags Rule (12 CFR Part 41, Subpart J), 12 CFR 21.11, and product-specific fraud risk requirements
- Support examination readiness by maintaining audit-ready fraud investigation case records, typology documentation, and program evidence aligned with OCC, FDIC, and CFPB expectations
Skills
- 3+ years of experience in fraud investigation, fraud analytics, or financial crimes within consumer lending, banking, or a regulated financial institution
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience
- Experience investigating consumer lending fraud — including application fraud, identity fraud, income/employment misrepresentation, and collateral fraud
- Experience preparing fraud investigation case documentation — fact and evidence assembly, typology analysis, and written escalation packages for compliance or legal review
- Familiarity with SAR referral processes, 12 CFR 21.11 SAR thresholds and timelines
- Working knowledge of BSA/AML program requirements applicable to consumer lending, including CIP/CDD, OFAC screening, suspicious activity monitoring, and Red Flags Rule obligations
- Working knowledge of OCC enterprise fraud risk management and FFIEC BSA/AML Manual requirements relevant to fraud investigation and suspicious activity reporting
- Experience with fraud trend analysis — application fraud rate monitoring, typology identification, channel and geographic concentration analysis
- Ability to manage own workload, meet deadlines, and proactively communicate risk to timelines with minimal supervision
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills — able to work effectively with Operations, Compliance, Legal, and Risk on fraud escalation and control improvement initiatives
- Experience investigating dealer channel fraud, including power booking, ghost down payments, straw purchases, VIN cloning, title washing, and F&I product abuse
- Experience maintaining dealer-level fraud scorecards and pattern-based dealer monitoring or suspension workflows
- Experience investigating collateral fraud typologies in home equity lending — occupancy misrepresentation, appraisal inflation, undisclosed liabilities/loan stacking
- Familiarity with CIP/CDD execution requirements and fraud red flags in account draw activity and maintenance
- Experience identifying fraud indicators across income, identity, appraisal, and title documentation within origination files
- Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation or active progress toward CFE certification
- Experience with fraud metrics reporting to management committees (Credit Committee, Risk Committee, or equivalent)
- Familiarity with EPD review processes and OCC fraud loss classification requirements
- Ability to translate investigation findings into structured, examination-ready documentation for OCC, FDIC, or CFPB review
- Collaborative approach to working across fraud, compliance, legal, and quality control functions in a fast-paced fintech environment
- This role is available in the following locations: Remote
- The majority of our employees can live and work anywhere in the U.S
Benefits
- Digital-first work flexibility, allowing most Upstarters to work from wherever they thrive
- Target bonuses
- Equity compensation
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Retirement benefits through a 401(k) or Group Retirement Savings Plan with a company match of $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually (USD in the US, CAD in Canada)
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees (US only)
- Comprehensive health coverage and wellness resources for US employees, and supplemental health coverage for Canada
- Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart for eligible plans (US only)
- Life insurance and disability coverage
- Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, in line with local requirements
- Paid family and parental leave; duration varies by country
- Family-centered benefits supporting fertility, parenthood, and caregiving needs
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering mental health support and life-centered resources
- Financial planning tools and a financial concierge service (US only)
- Annual wellness allowance supporting physical and emotional well-being and personal development
- Annual productivity allowance for relevant tools and resources
- Team events, all-company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
- Catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens when working from offices in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City (opening Summer 2026)
Company Overview