Sextortion and How Banks Can Assist Victims – A Conversation with Paul Rafille

Banking on Fraudology

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In this episode of Banking on Fraudology, host Hailey Windham engages in a compelling dialogue with Paul Raffile, a renowned intelligence analyst and author of the influential report "A Digital Pandemic." Together, they explore the urgent need for financial institutions to proactively address sextortion, a rapidly growing form of online blackmail that predominantly targets minors.

Paul sheds light on valuable resources from the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, emphasizing the vital role banks play in recognizing red flags and updating fraud detection systems. He shares insights into the alarming rise in sextortion cases—from 139 in 2021 to 26,000 in 2023—and the devastating impact, including numerous teen suicides linked to these crimes.

Hailey and Paul discuss practical strategies for banks to safeguard their customers, such as tailoring fraud detection for different account types, securing funds, and implementing multi-factor authentication. They stress the importance of empathetic customer service and forming specialized task forces to support victims effectively.

Listen in as they address the continuously evolving nature of sextortion scams driven by technological advancements and highlight ongoing legislative efforts like South Carolina's "Gavin's Law" aimed at combating this digital menace.

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About Hailey Windham:

As a 2023 CU Rockstar Recipient, Hailey Windham, CFCS (Certified Financial Crimes Specialist) demonstrated unbounding passion for educating her community, organization and credit union membership on scams in the market and best practices to avoid them. She has implemented several programs within her previous organizations that aim at holistically learning about how to prevent and detect fraud targeted at membership and employees.

Windham’s initiatives to build strong relationships and partnerships throughout the credit union community and industry experts have led to countless success stories. Her applied knowledge of payments system programs combined with her experience in fraud investigations offers practical concepts that are transferable, no matter the organization’s size.

Connect with Hailey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-windham/

Banking on Fraudology is part of the Fraudology Podcast Network.