Stopping Check Fraud, Uncover fraud methods and how CheckAlt combats them.
Dive into the intriguing world of check fraud as Sherah Spark, Head of Compliance and Legal for CheckAlt, sits down with host Tedd Huff at CheckAlt’s Miami office in this compelling episode of Leaders One on One by Fintech Confidential.
If you think checks are obsolete, think again. Sherah reveals some surprising statistics that show the continued relevance of checks, like the fact that 46% of people have written a check in the last 30 days. Shocking, right?
Sherah’s career in the financial sector began in banking, working with mortgages and underwriters. This experience laid a solid foundation for her current role at CheckAlt, where she ensures robust compliance and risk management practices. During her conversation with Tedd, she explains how CheckAlt leverages advanced technologies such as blockchain and AI to stay one step ahead of fraudsters. However, Sherah emphasizes that technology alone isn’t enough; human oversight is crucial for truly effective fraud prevention.
One of the most fascinating aspects of their discussion revolves around check fraud tactics. Sherah explains schemes like check washing, where fraudsters use chemicals or technology to alter checks. They even exploit mobile devices to deposit fake checks. CheckAlt combats these tactics with real-time monitoring and scoring systems to flag suspicious checks. They also use dark web services to track and stop fraud before it happens, ensuring that they can respond to threats proactively.
Sherah sheds light on the delicate balance between speed and risk in the fast-paced fintech world. Companies need to act quickly but also cautiously to prevent fraud. She discusses with Tedd how CheckAlt has integrated a risk-aware culture into its operations, from sales practices to technology decisions. This approach helps them make strategic choices that keep customers safe while staying competitive.
Partnerships are a crucial part of CheckAlt’s strategy. Sherah talks about how these collaborations enhance instant payment security. Instant payments are convenient but risky, as fraudsters can exploit their speed. By working with various partners, CheckAlt enhances its tools to manage and secure these transactions better, ensuring both speed and safety.
For financial institutions exploring new areas like ACH or lockbox functions, Sherah offers valuable advice. She suggests identifying specific pain points and developing strategies to address them. Whether it’s dealing with operational errors or managing product risks, understanding and tackling these issues is key to effective risk management.
Sherah also highlights CheckAlt’s commitment to excellence. The company invests heavily in talent and expertise, ensuring they remain industry leaders. They focus on providing exceptional customer service and maintaining high standards in risk and compliance. This dedication ensures that they not only stay ahead of fraud but also build strong, trust-based relationships with their clients.
Another interesting point Sherah touches on is the importance of combining technology with human judgment. While tools like AI can detect patterns and flag potential fraud, human intuition is crucial for final decisions. This blend of tech and human oversight creates a stronger defense against fraud.
Sherah also discusses the impact of real-time monitoring in preventing check fraud. By keeping an eye on transactions as they happen, CheckAlt can stop fraudsters in their tracks. This proactive approach means they can catch fraudulent activities before they cause significant harm.
Moreover, CheckAlt’s use of the dark web to monitor and track fraud attempts adds an extra layer of security. By scanning online black markets, they can identify and address threats before they escalate. This shows their commitment to staying ahead of fraudsters using every tool available.
Join the conversation with Sherah and Tedd in this episode packed with insights into the world of check fraud and how companies can stay ahead of these challenges. Sherah’s expertise sheds light on balancing speed and caution in the fintech industry, providing a roadmap for other companies to follow.
Stay tuned for more episodes of Fintech Confidential, where we bring you the latest in financial technology and expert discussions.
Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insights from industry leaders!
Key Highlights
CheckAlt’s Clever Use of the Dark Web
Discover how CheckAlt uses dark web services to monitor and stop fraud. By checking online black markets, they can spot and tackle suspicious activities before they affect customers.
Tech Meets Human: The Best Way to Stop Fraud
Combining technology with human oversight is crucial in fraud prevention. While AI and machine learning can detect patterns, human judgment is essential for making final decisions.
Shocking Check Stats: Are Checks Really Dead?
Find out why 46% of people have written a check in the last 30 days. Learn about the continued relevance of checks and how CheckAlt is innovating to keep this traditional payment method secure.
Fast Payments, Big Risks: Instant Payment Challenges
Instant payments are convenient but come with risks. Explore the challenges of instant payments and how CheckAlt partners with companies like Grail Pay to enhance security and manage real-time transaction risks.
Why Checks Are Here to Stay
Discover the surprising durability of checks in the financial world. Learn why many people still use checks and how CheckAlt’s technology ensures this method remains secure.
Check Fraud Tricks: What You Need to Know
Learn about the sneaky ways fraudsters alter checks with chemicals and technology, such as check washing. Find out how CheckAlt combats these tactics with advanced tools.
Secrets of Successful Risk Management
CheckAlt integrates risk management into daily operations, from sales to tech decisions. A risk-aware culture helps them make smart choices and protect customers effectively.
The Role of AI in Fraud Detection
Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool in fighting fraud but needs human help. Discover how AI is used at CheckAlt to detect fraud quickly and accurately, ensuring customer safety.
Building a Risk-Aware Company
CheckAlt has created a culture focused on risk and compliance. This approach helps them stay ahead of potential problems and ensures they provide top-notch service to their clients.
Understanding CheckAlt’s Compliance Mission
Learn about CheckAlt’s mission to keep customer safety at the forefront while balancing the need for speed in the fintech world. Their approach to compliance and legal matters is crucial to their success and customer trust.
Takeaways (five takeaways)
1️⃣ Protect Your Checks Now
Take immediate steps to safeguard your checks from fraud. Implement practical measures to secure your transactions and avoid common scams like check washing.
2️⃣ Fast and Safe Fintech Tips
Adopt strategies to balance speed with top-notch security. Learn how to make quick, secure decisions that protect your business and customers.
3️⃣ AI + Human = Less Fraud
Enhance your fraud prevention by combining AI with human oversight. Use this powerful combo to improve your security measures and catch fraud early.
4️⃣ Real-Time Monitoring Hacks
Start using real-time monitoring to prevent fraud. Actively watch transactions as they happen to stop fraudsters and protect your finances.
5️⃣ Risk Awareness Secrets
Build a risk-aware culture in your company. Implement strategies to integrate risk management into daily operations and stay ahead of threats.
Links:
CheckAlt Website: https://checkalt.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/checkalt
LinkedIn - Shai Stern: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaistern1
X: https://x.com/checkalt
YouTube: @checkalt3239
Fintech Confidential Links:
Listen: https://fintechconfidential.com/listen
Subscribe: https://fintechconfidential.com/access
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fintechconfidential
X: https://x.com/FTconfidential
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fintechconfidential
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fintechconfidential
Supporters
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Timestamps
00:15 Meet Sherah Spark: Head of Compliance and Legal for Check Alt
00:45 The Surprising Resilience of Checks
01:12 Combating Evolving Fraud with Technology
01:57 Spotlight on Clearing Works
02:27 CheckAlt's Innovative Products
03:06 Sherah Spark's Journey into Fintech
03:21 Early Career in Banking and Risk
04:59 Pioneering Risk and Compliance
05:22 The Importance of Risk and Compliance in Fintech
07:58 Balancing Speed and Risk in Fintech
08:27 The Role of Experience in Risk Management
11:11 Check Fraud Tactics and Prevention
13:22 Advanced Fraud Detection Techniques
20:05 The Role of AI and Human Oversight
22:31 SkyFlow: Building Fast Without Breaking Privacy
23:33 Understanding Risk Appetite and Frameworks
25:27 Grail Pay: Partnering for Instant Payments
28:39 Advice for Financial Institutions on Risk and Compliance
30:42 CheckAlt's Commitment to Excellence
32:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
About:
Guest
Sherah Spark: Sherah Spark is the Head of Compliance and Legal at CheckAlt, where she plays a crucial role in shaping the company’s risk management and compliance strategies. With extensive experience in the banking sector, Sherah has a deep understanding of financial risk and compliance. She began her career in the mortgage industry, working with underwriters to evaluate financial profiles, which laid the foundation for her expertise in risk management.
Sherah’s career has been marked by her dedication to creating robust compliance frameworks and mitigating risks in the financial sector. Before joining CheckAlt, she held significant roles at reputable institutions like U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo, where she led several strategic multi-million dollar initiatives and managed complex projects.
At CheckAlt, Sherah is instrumental in integrating advanced technologies like AI and blockchain with traditional risk management practices, ensuring that the company stays ahead of evolving fraud tactics while maintaining a human touch in oversight. She is passionate about driving business growth and customer satisfaction, always putting customers at the center of business decisions.
Sherah holds a Master’s degree from Boston University and an undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota. Outside of her professional endeavors, she enjoys exploring new destinations, immersing herself in diverse cultures, and seeking inspiring experiences that broaden her perspective.
With her visionary leadership and risk management expertise, Sherah Spark continues to make significant contributions to the financial industry, helping CheckAlt provide innovative and secure payment solutions to its clients.
CheckAlt : CheckAlt is the largest independent provider of receivables management and payment and deposit processing solutions in the U.S., serving more than 1,000 clients across a broad range of industries, including financial institutions of all sizes, property management, healthcare, utilities, municipalities, and nonprofits. Operating as payment channel and demographic agnostic, CheckAlt processes check payments while also supporting electronic payment needs that are accelerating digital transformation. CheckAlt's solutions include lockbox processing across a nationwide hub-and-spoke network of processing sites, consolidated item processing, integrated treasury solutions, and mobile capture services. Learn more at https://www.checkalt.com.
Host:
Tedd Huff: Tedd Huff is the Co-Founder of Voalyre, and the President & Founder of Diamond D3, a professional services consulting firm focused on global payments and marketing. He is also a video podcast host and producer of Fintech Confidential.
Over the past 24 years, he has contributed to FinTech startups as an Advisory Board Member, Co-Founder, and Chief Experience Officer, providing strategic and tactical direction for Global Payments OpenEdge, Heartland Payments, Nuvei, and TSYS, among others, focusing on growth while delivering innovation, process improvements and user experience-driven value to simplify the complexity of payments.
Diamond D3, Media: A media creation, management, and production company delivering engaging content globally
Transcript
Welcome to Fintech Confidential, bringing you the
2
:people, tech, and companies that
change how you pay and get paid.
3
:Welcome to another episode
of Fintech Confidential.
4
:I'm sitting here with Sherah
Spark, the head of compliance
5
:and legal for Check Alt.
6
:Sherah Spark: Typically, when
you talk to people from a risk
7
:background, you may think, well,
they're going to slow things down.
8
:They're going to slow progress
down because they want to check all
9
:the boxes and do the activities.
10
:I think there's a risk reward balance
that you really have to take to when
11
:you approach anything really, but I
mean specifically with the products
12
:that we're bringing to market.
13
:When I first came into the
company, my first question was,
14
:aren't checks blowing away?
15
:I was blown away by the statistics
of billions of dollars of checks
16
:that are written on an annual basis.
17
:46 percent of people have written
a check in the last 30 days.
18
:The checks obviously have been
around for A very long time.
19
:What's new is the technology and
the way that these broadsters
20
:are making these deposits.
21
:What's not new is they've been
taking them through the mail.
22
:At Checkout, we have to be, as the
broadsters are evolving and their
23
:approach and the way that they're, you
know, committing crimes, so do we as
24
:financial institutions, as financial
technology companies, have to be
25
:advancing our own approach to combat that.
26
:And so one of the ways that we're doing
that is using things like Blockchain,
27
:AI, things that are again, real time
technology always, in my opinion, has
28
:to be partnered with a human because
we can train AI, we can train machine
29
:learning, but there has to be I think
a human element on the other side.
30
:I think maybe eventually we'll get
there, but there always has to be
31
:a human involved in that equation.
32
:Tedd Huff: Now let's quickly shine
a spotlight on a game changer in the
33
:financial world, clearing works, simplify
your financial management with a one
34
:stop solution for all your AR needs.
35
:And with a single login,
are you intrigued?
36
:Visit clearingworks.
37
:com to schedule your demo.
38
:Welcome to another episode
of Bentech Confidential.
39
:I'm sitting here with Sherah Spark, the
Head of Compliance and Legal for CheckAlt.
40
:CheckAlt has been releasing some
really great products and really
41
:moving things forward when it comes
to ACH, RDC, Lockbox, eLockbox,
42
:and Remote Deposit Capture.
43
:So all of these things.
44
:I know we think about checks
going away, but believe it or
45
:not, they're not going anywhere.
46
:So I'm really glad to have you here
today, especially to talk about check
47
:fraud, the legal, the compliance, all
the stuff that kind of goes around this.
48
:But before we dive in, I'd
love for you to give us your.
49
:As I like to call it, the
falling into fintech story.
50
:How, how did you get, first get
into the financial area and what
51
:was the big thing that got you to
focus on compliance and, and risk?
52
:Sherah Spark: Thanks for having me.
53
:I started out my career
early on in banking.
54
:I have people say that they
accidentally fell into being a banker.
55
:I was very, had good intentions to go
right into the financial institution.
56
:My first role was in
the mortgage industry.
57
:I was in college and this was during the
mortgage boom and it was processing loans.
58
:And one of the things that I didn't
realize at the time was that processing
59
:loans, working with the underwriters
really was my kind of first step into
60
:working in risk and compliance, looking
at the financial picture of each customer.
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:Working with the underwriters to
understand if the organization
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:was ready to take on that risk.
63
:That was kind of my first
exposure to this topic.
64
:Fast forward to a couple years
later, I started working on
65
:the retail side of banking.
66
:And my role was really to
prepare the banks for audit.
67
:My role was specifically sales.
68
:An audit and sales and service, but sales
and yeah, that's a interesting combo,
69
:but it's interesting because it teaches
you the practices to be aware of, to
70
:keep customers safe, to keep the bank
safe all while doing sales practices.
71
:It's a genius concepts.
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:Now, in execution, there's always a lot
of pressure when it comes to stale, but
73
:if you can have that compliant mindset,
it makes you aware of being careful.
74
:And being cautious, protecting.
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:The company protecting the customers
in this role, I thought my strength
76
:was sales, but what I really started
to identify is that I really had
77
:a passion for the risk side of
the role, the risk and compliance.
78
:From there, I jumped into a, the
fifth largest bank in my role there,
79
:there was six of us that were, were
at the beginning, at the forefront,
80
:pioneering risk and compliance.
81
:So this was probably about 15 years ago.
82
:When it wasn't a buzzword yet, nobody
had really caught on to like this
83
:really important aspect of the company.
84
:I
85
:Tedd Huff: think it's interesting you say
that because one of the conversations that
86
:I have a lot with my clients is really
risk and compliance is a primary focus.
87
:And in a lot of cases, you
know, they ask me, what should I
88
:budget my operating expenditures?
89
:What I've seen is about 30 percent or
so of the total budget seems to be what
90
:keeps people out of a lot of trouble.
91
:And now mind you, I work with a
lot of more aggressive fintechs for
92
:banking as a service type products
or things that are really about the
93
:money movements and diving into the
AML, BSA, the KYC slash KYB space.
94
:That's where they spend
a lot of their time.
95
:How does where you sit
and where you came from.
96
:Does that play a big piece in it as well?
97
:Sherah Spark: Fast forward
to where I am now in fintech.
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:Banking has played a role in
keeping me very conservative.
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:Seeing what happened to some of the large
organizations that I've worked with.
100
:How much effort that they put into
risk and compliance has helped really
101
:curb and mitigate any type of issues
that we've had in the past or that some
102
:financial institutions have run into.
103
:Going back to what I was just
talking to you a couple minutes
104
:ago, we grew from six people to 150
in two years from a risk culture.
105
:It really changed the way that
our organization did business.
106
:Working with several bankers now
at Checkult, we have risk and
107
:compliance really ingrained into
our DNA, into what we do every day.
108
:Whether it's from our sales practices
to our technology, having that kind of
109
:mindset ingrained in everything that
we do into the fabric of the company,
110
:really working with other bankers
that are now here at this fintech
111
:company has helped us to align, make
more strategic decisions and align our
112
:approach to how we're making decisions.
113
:Tedd Huff: When you start to talk about
these strategic decisions, bringing
114
:in an experience for it, how would you
describe your mission and how it fits in
115
:with the overarching CheckAlt mission?
116
:Sherah Spark: I would say one of the
unique characteristics of what I bring to
117
:CheckAlt is keeping very customer focused.
118
:And what I mean by that is I think
typically when you talk to people from
119
:a risk background, you may think, well,
They're going to slow things down.
120
:They're going to slow progress down.
121
:because they want to check all
the boxes and do the activities.
122
:I think there's a risk reward balance
that you really have to take to
123
:when you approach anything really.
124
:But I mean, specifically with the
products that we're bringing to market
125
:with the business, how the speed, the
speed is something I've definitely
126
:have to have had to get used to.
127
:Banks are typically slower, right?
128
:And more cautious, but bringing that
balance of speed, Speed and the trade off
129
:of how much risk we're willing to take.
130
:Tedd Huff: How do you
approach that balance?
131
:Because it, it, it's one
of those pendulums, right?
132
:Sherah Spark: Yeah.
133
:That
134
:Tedd Huff: swings sometimes really fast.
135
:How are you maintaining that balance?
136
:Sherah Spark: Part of my role
is bringing in, because we're
137
:operating so fast, you have to go
on information that you know today.
138
:Can't predict it.
139
:Future, you can bring in your experience
into that lens, but I think it's
140
:presenting the fact and then working
with our executive leadership team to
141
:say, based on what we know today, are
we willing to take this type of risk?
142
:It's a incremental test and learn.
143
:A lot of, I think what FinTech
is, is testing and learning,
144
:being cautious, but being very
calculated at a very fast speed.
145
:Tedd Huff: As you look at the way
that Chekhov is approaching the
146
:market, are there specific things with
maybe specific products or specific
147
:features within products that you
see as a lifeline when it comes to.
148
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149
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:their tech stack with loan pro.
157
:Sherah Spark: Each one of our products
has its own unique identifiers.
158
:I would say the way that we're approaching
check is unique in the sense that we
159
:are partnering with other technology
companies in the industry to bring in.
160
:what they're doing really well at to
help protect our consumers, protect
161
:our partners or business partners
that we're looking at, that we're
162
:working with and that lifeline of.
163
:Thinking about risk and compliance and
protecting the consumer, protecting the,
164
:the business, I think, is, because checks
are our lifeline to this company, uh,
165
:we have to be very diligent in how we're
protecting any type of exposure there.
166
:When I first came into the
company, my first question
167
:was, aren't checks going away?
168
:I was blown away by the statistics
of billions of dollars of checks
169
:are written on an annual basis.
170
:Forty six percent of people
have written a check 30 days.
171
:And don't quote me on that, but
it's a high, high percentage,
172
:much more than I ever expected.
173
:If we can become the best at this
quarter market and do so with trust and
174
:integrity and keeping risk and compliance
at the forefront, It's a win win.
175
:It's a win for us because
we become a trusted advisor.
176
:It's a win for our customer because
we're protecting their funds.
177
:Tedd Huff: It's kind of funny, at least
from my perspective, that some of the
178
:same tactics from the movie Catch Me As
You Can that was loosely based on Frank
179
:Abigail and his check fraud spree over
those years, some of those things haven't
180
:gone away, but not only have they not
gone away, there are new Different ways
181
:that one that they're doing the check
fraud and two, how they're the fraudsters
182
:are all kind of coming together.
183
:Could you outline?
184
:The three big areas you're
working with here at CheckAlt,
185
:as far as check fraud goes.
186
:Sherah Spark: You mentioned Lockbox,
that's one of our biggest services
187
:here at CheckAlt, and with Lockbox
comes a partnership with the U.
188
:S.
189
:Postal Office, and postal
workers are being targeted
190
:for things Getting their keys.
191
:People are going into the mail
boxes and opening up envelopes
192
:and taking checks there.
193
:I mean, we see a lot of check washing.
194
:Tedd Huff: Can you describe that?
195
:Sherah Spark: Yeah.
196
:So check washing is basically it's
either technology or chemicals and
197
:they're taking and lifting the payee
typically and the dollar amount off
198
:of the check and writing it for a new
amount, writing it to a new payee.
199
:And what they're doing is they
are walking, paying what they call
200
:mules or walkers to go into branches
to cash check to make deposits.
201
:And then you can also obviously deposit
it through a mobile device as well.
202
:The checks obviously have been
around for a very long time.
203
:What's new is the technology and
the way that these fraudsters
204
:are making these deposits.
205
:What's not new is they've been
taking them through the mail.
206
:So if you think about that,
they're just changing.
207
:The way they're using technology
to accelerate how rampant this is
208
:at checkout, we have to be as the
broadsters are evolving and their
209
:approach and the way that they're,
you know, committing crimes.
210
:So do we, as financial institutions,
as financial technology
211
:companies have to be advancing.
212
:Our own approach to combat that.
213
:And so one of the ways that we're doing
that is using things like blockchain, AI,
214
:things that are again, real time dark web
services, where we have partners that are
215
:going into social media and looking at
checks that are being put up for sale on
216
:the internet, if you can get ahead and
be more proactive and getting ahead of
217
:these Um, playing somewhat of a similar
game is speed to market, speed to them
218
:getting to cashless check, being able
to have access to them in real time.
219
:I think that's one of the ways that
you can combat this check fraud
220
:situation that we have going on.
221
:Tedd Huff: One of the things that I,
that I learned recently from a former FBI
222
:agent that honestly didn't cross my mind
because I remember doing RDC 15 years ago.
223
:Yep.
224
:And I remember doing.
225
:Remote deposit capture when it first
released, but I never in my wildest
226
:dreams had thought that someone
was going to take those images
227
:Sherah Spark: and
228
:Tedd Huff: then reuse them for a lack
of a better phrase to resubmit them,
229
:how mature is that actually going
on and what are some of the things
230
:that you're seeing the financial
institutions as well as check all.
231
:Do to combat against
232
:Sherah Spark: because mobile devices
are so inexpensive and pretty much
233
:anybody can have access to it.
234
:Think about then the volume
of how that transcends into.
235
:Get being able to get a check through mail
or through however they're getting it.
236
:Right.
237
:And mail, I think is the biggest piece.
238
:Be able to take a picture of it.
239
:And then they're also going
into computers as well.
240
:I mean, we've seen that.
241
:So things that we're doing to combat
that, I think, again, dark web
242
:services, doing an analysis on the tech.
243
:So there's a couple of partners that
we're working with that will actually
244
:collect data on individual accounts and
they'll be able to analyze the data.
245
:score checks as they're
coming into our system.
246
:One of the things that we're doing is
we have a tool that will score a check.
247
:It'll basically, it plagues it for
fraud or the potential of fraud.
248
:And then what we need to do is to analyze
basically it's a yes or no decisioning.
249
:It's a decisioning tool
is really what it is.
250
:Typically, this will look at things, the
characteristics on the check based on The
251
:information that's in a database that will
tell a little bit about the history of
252
:the account and the history of the check.
253
:So if somebody is writing a check
for 500, then they're always writing
254
:out to the same lawn service.
255
:And we see an out of pattern check come
in, it'll get flagged in the system.
256
:And then somebody has to review
to accept or deny that deposit
257
:or that payment, I should say.
258
:So those are just ways in real time
that we can put controls in place
259
:because it's all about mitigating risk.
260
:You're not going to catch everything,
but those are the type of tools and
261
:controls that you can use to catch
or flag these checks in real time.
262
:Tedd Huff: We look at the
fraudsters at all, right?
263
:And you look at procedures and the tools
and everything that You have to use,
264
:and you mentioned, uh, you've mentioned
blockchain, you've mentioned AI.
265
:Yep.
266
:What does the roadmap look like?
267
:Maybe, yeah, what will the
roadmap for checkout look like?
268
:And how does that stack up against
what's going on in the marketplace?
269
:Sherah Spark: So, our roadmap
To how we're going to leverage
270
:technology is getting to cloud first.
271
:I think a lot of those tools
will compliment blockchain will
272
:compliment the cloud technology.
273
:The way that I think about it is
technology is a way for us to, you
274
:know, optimize, automate, create
efficiencies around some of the manual
275
:processes that not only we, but other
financial institutions based, I think.
276
:We are operating in such, we meaning
financial industries, banks, are
277
:operating on such old systems and old
ways of thinking and doing things,
278
:not only from a technology standpoint,
but from a process standpoint that
279
:we have such an opportunity to catch
up with what fraudsters are doing.
280
:I think what fraudsters are doing is
taking advantage of technology and
281
:fast, rapid paced environment where.
282
:Banks and financial institutions are
caught up in bureaucracy and trying
283
:to just get something approved and
we're so far behind in that pace
284
:where fraudsters are able to take
advantage of that weakness from an
285
:FI bank perspective and capitalize
on this whole check fraud industry.
286
:The way that we're thinking about
differently is if we're a financial
287
:technology company and we're not large.
288
:How can we start to like operate and in
an environment and take advantage of not
289
:having to go through tons of red tape,
tons of bureaucracy so that we can rapidly
290
:protect our customers with new tools that
are in the cloud, that are automated,
291
:that are AI, that are blockchain.
292
:The advantage of being a smaller company
is that we don't have to run through that
293
:red tape, we can partner with others that
are like minded, again, speed to market
294
:on these and keep up with the rapid speed
of what's going on on the other end, which
295
:is the fraud, which is the fraudsters take
advantage of technology for their benefit.
296
:Tedd Huff: Are there any partnerships
that you guys have put into place
297
:that are really reducing some of,
or mitigating some of the risks?
298
:I would assume at the same
time that allows you to offer
299
:new features and functions.
300
:Sherah Spark: Most of the
partnerships are to be announced.
301
:Tedd Huff: I tried to get it out of you.
302
:Is there anything you can
303
:Sherah Spark: talk about?
304
:Let's go there.
305
:Which ones can you talk about?
306
:Let me talk about the features, because
I think that's the most important part.
307
:We can do things like
account authorization.
308
:One of the challenges with check fraud is
account authorization, account balance.
309
:We have the ability to
understand if, potentially, if
310
:there was an account takeover.
311
:Or an unauthorized transaction, if
things look like they're out of pattern.
312
:Other tools that we can use is the Dark
Web Partnership, where they can flag
313
:checks that are out there for sale that
might have come in through our system.
314
:So those are just kind
of a couple examples.
315
:The scoring system is
another thing, right?
316
:Understanding if there's a partnership
that we're working with is Looking at
317
:scoring checks as they come into our
system, and there's, I think, 26 to 30
318
:different characteristics that they're
looking at that will help indicate whether
319
:or not there's potential fraud, you know,
in the end, technology always, in my
320
:opinion, has to be partnered with a human
because We can train AI, we can train
321
:machine learning, but there has to be, I
think, a human element on the other side.
322
:I think maybe eventually we'll get
there, but there always has to be
323
:a human involved in that equation.
324
:Tedd Huff: It's amazing how fast we've
gone from it being an idea to trying
325
:to figure out how to use it to minimize
the repetitive tasks that we all do.
326
:And you hit on something that's,
that's a really big piece
327
:for me is that human reason.
328
:And that's the one thing that if you
look at all the artificial intelligence
329
:technologies that are out there,
that's the one thing it can't do.
330
:It can't do the human reasoning.
331
:It can look at patterns.
332
:It can look at different things.
333
:It can synthesize, and it can tell
you what it seeds, but it can't do it.
334
:Reason, to what that actually means
and what you should be doing about it.
335
:Yeah So I think that's one of the big
pieces that is still open and one of the
336
:things that I've heard Multiple times
recently is we have to stop looking
337
:at AI as being a human replacement.
338
:Sherah Spark: Agree.
339
:Tedd Huff: And being more
of human augmentation.
340
:And on that same topic, how are you
from the risk in front side of the
341
:house approaching or looking at it?
342
:Are you looking at it from, it sounds
like you're looking at it from the
343
:augmentation side of the house.
344
:How do you see it augmenting, maybe
not today, but in the near future?
345
:Sherah Spark: I see it as
a tool for speed, right?
346
:So we only have so many hours in
a day, only have so much attention
347
:span, brain power capacity.
348
:I think technology can be used
as a tool to help present data.
349
:But in the end, it has to come
down to what is our risk appetite.
350
:Tedd Huff: Support provided by SkyFlow.
351
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fast, but not break privacy?
352
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privacy, governance, and compliance
353
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354
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PCI requirements while actually
355
:improving privacy and security?
356
:How much more time would your
team have to truly innovate?
357
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build and ship new features?
358
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359
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privacy vault delivered as an API.
360
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lets you collect, secure, and
361
:tokenize personal information like
card data and payment details.
362
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encrypted data analysis and sharing,
363
:anonymization, and advanced governance,
your days of choosing between data
364
:security and data usability are over.
365
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with PCI compliance.
366
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367
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368
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369
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370
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371
:com today to learn how.
372
:Sherah Spark: What is the company or the
individual or the partnership willing to
373
:take on from a risk appetite standpoint?
374
:What type of risk framework
are you dealing with?
375
:You look at things like scoring and,
you know, checks that are coming in.
376
:Some may have tolerance for
an 80 percent risk or some may
377
:have tolerance for other things.
378
:But I think in the end, each
financial institution, FinTech, has to
379
:understand what their risk appetite is.
380
:What the framework is that they're
working with and use technology as a
381
:tool to help drive those decisions.
382
:Some of it's going to be
on data analytics, but are
383
:you working with good data?
384
:Is the data clean?
385
:Right?
386
:Because if you don't have clean,
solid data, then Your outputs
387
:are going to be false negatives,
potentially, or false positives.
388
:There's got to be that
human element to it, right?
389
:And as much as data and technology
can help present information, some
390
:of it at the end of the day is going
to be based on things like intuition
391
:and gut feeling and all those things
that we can't always quantify.
392
:Tedd Huff: So it's kind of the, an
extension of the trust verify type thing.
393
:Trust that it's giving you the
information you need to look at.
394
:But verify that the information
that's giving you is actually what,
395
:what you need to, to move forward.
396
:Sherah Spark: Yeah.
397
:And there's things like, you know,
predictive analytics too, right?
398
:When we talk about
fraud that play into it.
399
:But I think at the end of the
day, there's got to be the
400
:human element on, on the end.
401
:So.
402
:Our roadmap looks like cloud technology.
403
:It looks like partnership with those
friends that are in the industry
404
:that are do really well at that.
405
:We, we don't want to become a
fraud expert, but we want to
406
:partner with those that can protect
checkout and protect our customers.
407
:Tedd Huff: I'm going to ask one more time.
408
:Are there any partners we can talk about?
409
:Is there anybody that we can point
out that's really helping you?
410
:Sherah Spark: Okay, so we
can talk about Grail Pay.
411
:Okay, so
412
:Tedd Huff: what is Grail Pay
and how are they helping?
413
:Sherah Spark: We're testing
out use cases right now.
414
:One of the, I think, Wild
West features out there or I
415
:Tedd Huff: love that you called
it a Wild West feature or method
416
:of payment, but yeah, continue
417
:Sherah Spark: is instant payments.
418
:I mean, there's when I think about
fraud, I think about this is a perfect
419
:example of where fraudsters can come in.
420
:I don't know if there's a lot of really
great controls around instant payments
421
:today, but GrailPay is one of those
companies that we're working with on
422
:different use cases to look at features
and tools that they have to help us make
423
:our decisions around instant payments.
424
:Tedd Huff: Instant payments is a unique
space, especially for us here in the U.
425
:S.
426
:I mean, it's been in, in
Europe, or I should say Great
427
:Britain for, for many years.
428
:And here in the U.
429
:S.
430
:we're still trying to figure
out, how do we make it work?
431
:How do we make it work within the
frameworks that we have today?
432
:Can we make it work within
the frameworks we have today?
433
:And then not only that, we didn't
get one way to do it, right?
434
:We've gotten from the car brands.
435
:We have instant payments.
436
:We've got from the clearinghouse They have
their own version of instant payments.
437
:Then you've got fed the Fed and it
launched with their version Yeah, and
438
:they all kind of are going after the same
problem But in completely different ways
439
:and I can only imagine how complicated
that makes for you when you're trying
440
:to figure out how do I mitigate the
risk and how do I maintain compliance?
441
:Is there something that Grail Pay
is doing that would help you with
442
:that or is it just augmenting some
of the things you're already doing?
443
:Sherah Spark: I think it's augmenting
some of the things we're already doing.
444
:You know, when I think about instant
payments, I think about, from a
445
:merchant standpoint, I think about
people's ability to set up businesses.
446
:There could be loopholes there,
right, around merchants or, or
447
:pretend merchants being able to set
up these companies and then being
448
:able to make instant payments, right?
449
:So, one of the things that,
again, we were looking at multiple
450
:use cases on how to implement.
451
:Grail Pay is tools within our risk
management framework, but one of
452
:them is like account authorization.
453
:And again, historical lookbacks on
you're getting an instant payment
454
:and just making this up for 5, 000,
but that's not a usual activity.
455
:within that company.
456
:Like we have the ability to look at
with their help with transactional
457
:history to make sure there's nothing
that's out of line or out of pattern.
458
:So having that access to a consumer or
business account, I think will be huge and
459
:helping mitigate some of the fraud that.
460
:I see could be happening, but I don't
know if anybody's really figured out how
461
:to manage fraud around instant payment.
462
:So we're pretty excited to partner
with Grail Pay to use some of their
463
:capabilities in the instant payment space.
464
:Tedd Huff: What if I was a company that
hadn't really been looking at anything
465
:other than just physical checks?
466
:And I start to get into the ACH,
I start to get into the lockbox,
467
:so the e lockbox functions.
468
:Is there any advice that you would give
to those FIs or non FI companies on how
469
:to approach their, their problems around
risk and compliance in those spaces?
470
:Sherah Spark: Each FI and bank can have
a little bit of a different pain point.
471
:So, some of it could be operational
risk, some of it could be product
472
:risk, failure to launch, some
of it could be people risk.
473
:So, each company is going to have a
different, I think, pain point when
474
:it comes to risk around lockbox,
around the different products.
475
:My advice would be to identify what those
pain points are and to think about The
476
:strategy behind how to mitigate, you
know, if it's operational risk, so let's
477
:talk about lockbox, for example, if you
think about the number of processing
478
:errors, understanding the metrics
around what those errors are, and then,
479
:you know, finding a plan or a way to.
480
:mitigate, you know, operating errors.
481
:If it remote deposit capture, you
can have errors there as well.
482
:It, what is the technology that you're
using to capture the characteristics
483
:and images of the check, right?
484
:Does your software work?
485
:What type of software are you using?
486
:So, one of the tools that we use
has very low error rates when it
487
:comes to, you know, picking up the
images on the actual check itself.
488
:So, Again, I think going back to what
is the problem that you're trying
489
:to solve, identifying your, your
risk that way, and then looking for
490
:strategies or ways to mitigate it.
491
:Tedd Huff: Is there anything that we
haven't talked about that you're like,
492
:just got to talk about this one thing.
493
:Is there anything that we've
missed that you want to make
494
:sure that the audience hears?
495
:Sherah Spark: Checkult has the talent and
the expertise around it today that really
496
:is supercharging Um, I think it's really
important for us to be a company that is,
497
:you know, first, best in class, we've got
the experience and the talent behind us
498
:that is going to help us navigate into the
future, whether it's risk and compliance,
499
:whether it's, you know, operational
excellence, that I think if financial
500
:institutions are looking to Partner with
an organization that really is investing
501
:in its talent to become best in class.
502
:I think there'll be happy with the
results that they get in that partnership.
503
:When we say about, we, you know, put
people first, we put our customers first.
504
:Like, I think they'll find that
in their experience with the
505
:technical organization, that.
506
:It's really genuine and authentic
and they'll know that from the
507
:time that they meet us throughout
the whole life cycle, right?
508
:It's not just at the time of sale.
509
:I think people here in the company really
have a genuine interest to do the right
510
:thing, provide great customer service.
511
:We're putting a lot of care into risk and
compliance throughout the organization.
512
:So again, it becomes really
the fabric of who we are.
513
:You know, risk and compliance isn't
sexy, it's an insurance policy
514
:that is, so to speak, but it's all
about what's doing, doing the right
515
:thing so that we can invest not
only in today, but into our future.
516
:So I think that's what our customers or
prospects will find when they come to us.
517
:Tedd Huff: I appreciate the time you've
taken out to sit down here with me.
518
:It's been really insightful
to understand and learn from
519
:you throughout the day today.
520
:And I just want to thank you for taking
the time to sit down and chat with me.
521
:Sherah Spark: Awesome.
522
:Thank you.
523
:Thank you.
524
:Tedd Huff: As we wrap up today's
episode, I've got one last thing for you.
525
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526
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527
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538
:Lilly: This has been a production of
DD3 Media with all rights reserved.
539
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informational purposes only.
540
:It is not offered or intended to
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541
:financial, or other advice.
542
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up to date information, but will
543
:not be responsible for any missing
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544
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545
:information at your own risk.
546
:Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile
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547
:make your own financial decisions.