Women in fraud, what scams are they fighting?
A conversation on the increasing complexity of scams, how AI can be a partner in prevention, and why human insight remains a credit union’s best defense.
In this episode of Good Question, host Brianna Valleskey sits down with two fraud leaders deeply embedded in the credit union world: Jen Lamont, BSA Compliance Officer and 2024 Knoble Award winner, and Hailey Windham, fraud consultant and host of Banking on Fraudology.
They cover what credit unions are up against today (from increasingly complex scams to resource-strapped teams) and how women in fraud are leading efforts to rebuild trust, bridge internal gaps, and drive smarter responses.
From debit card scams to AI-generated images of fraud fighters (yes, really), this episode offers both serious insight and light-hearted moments — plus a lightning with ChatGPT.
Why people “fall into” fraud-fighting careers, and then never leave
Neither Jen nor Hailey planned to go into fraud prevention.
Jen started out batching concrete and ended up running fraud investigations. Hailey walked into a bank for a mortgage and left with a teller job and a passion for chasing down debit card scams. Their stories reflect a powerful truth: many fraud professionals didn’t plan for this career, but they stay because of its impact.
“Fraud fighting is about solving puzzles, but also about protecting people at their most vulnerable,” Hailey said.
How to break down silos & build a fraud-savvy culture
One major theme that emerged: breaking down silos between fraud, BSA, compliance, and the front line. Both guests shared how collaboration (not blame) is the most effective path forward.
Hailey recounted her work building a “fraud-savvy” culture in credit unions. By shifting the mindset across all levels of the organization, she helped teams take pride in preventing fraud, not just reacting to it.
Jen echoed the importance of communication: “Have we taught them what we know?” she asked. “Are we approaching with empathy and context, or just compliance?”
Her team’s internal workshops, paired with frontline experience from colleagues, have helped turn education into empowerment for both customers and coworkers.
Protecting consumers from increasingly complex scams
If there’s one thing Jen and Hailey made clear, it’s this: scams are no longer one-dimensional.
Pig butchering, tech support, romance, investment — they’re increasingly blended into complex schemes. Jen described them as “a turducken of a scam.” And both guests highlighted how emotional manipulation plays a huge role, especially in moments of personal vulnerability.
“Every person has a trigger,” Hailey said. “It’s just a matter of finding it.”
This makes public education even harder, but also more essential. Hailey advocates for constant awareness campaigns, monthly fraud talks at local churches, and the normalization of bringing up fraud in every customer interaction.
AI as a fraud fighter’s partner, not a replacement
Small FIs are more likely to get budget approval for AI tools than new headcount. That makes it even more important to invest wisely and position AI as a teammate.
Jen raised concerns about the “AI arms race” between fraudsters and institutions. Hailey noted that tools are only effective when paired with a clear internal case, and leadership that understands their value.
The future isn’t AI vs. humans. It’s AI + humans. The fraud fighters who will win are the ones who use technology to extend (not replace) their empathy, curiosity, and insight.
“You can’t solve fraud alone,” Jen said. “It affects everyone, and requires everyone.”
Ask ChatGPT: What does a fraud fighter look like?
To end the episode on a fun note, the trio asked ChatGPT to generate images of a fraud fighter.
The result?
Two very serious-looking men with magnifying glasses, one resembling a protest-ready superhero, the other channeling hoodie-clad hacker vibes.
Hailey and Jen laughed. Neither image looked like them (or the fraud fighters they know). Which is exactly the point.
Fraud fighters don’t fit a mold. They’re data-driven and human-first. They’re system builders, culture shapers, and relentless advocates for people.
A new vision for fraud prevention
This conversation made one thing clear: the future of fraud prevention isn’t about reacting faster. It’s about building better systems from the start.
Jen and Hailey are helping reshape what effective fraud teams look like: breaking down silos, designing smarter workflows, and making education a constant, not an afterthought. They’re proving that culture change and technology investment aren’t separate efforts; they go hand in hand.
If you’re a fraud fighter, this episode is a reminder: Your work matters. Your voice matters. And the future of fraud prevention will be shaped by those who dare to build it better.
👀 Watch the full Women in Fraud mini-series on YouTube or visit our Good Question playlist for more.
🎧 Listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
📢 Know a fraud fighter whose story should be featured? Let us know at info@inscribe.ai.
Sources Cited
- Fraud Prevention Specialist demographics and statistics in the US
- Women’s World Banking: Women in Leadership
About the guests
Brianna Valleskey is the Head of Marketing at Inscribe AI. A former journalist and longtime B2B marketing leader, Brianna is the creator and host of Good Question, where she brings together experts at the intersection of fraud, fintech, and AI. She’s passionate about making technical topics accessible and inspiring the next generation of risk leaders, and was named 2022 Experimental Marketer of the Year and one of the 2023 Top 50 Woman in Content.
Jen Lamont is a BSA Compliance Officer and Fraud Manager with over a decade of experience protecting credit union members from fraud and financial crime. She is a Certified Fraud Examiner and Bank Secrecy Act Compliance Specialist, and was recognized by The Knoble in 2024 for her work in elder fraud prevention. Jen is passionate about safeguarding vulnerable communities and building proactive fraud programs rooted in empathy and effectiveness.
Hailey Windham is a Certified Financial Crimes Specialist and the founder of CU Fight Fraud, a consulting practice focused on helping credit unions build more resilient fraud strategies. She began her career in credit unions and went on to lead fraud teams across multiple institutions, where she specialized in education and response for scams like pig butchering and romance fraud. She is also a board member of Operation Shamrock and the host of Banking on Fraudology, a podcast spotlighting key issues in financial crime prevention.
