Requisition No: 802844
Agency: Office of the Attorney General
Working Title: FINANCIAL INVESTIGATOR-CONSUMER PROTECTI – 41001225
Position Number: 41001225
Salary: $49,427 – $52,085
Posting Closing Date: 09/01/2023
This is a re-advertisement. Prior applicants need not re-apply.
Our Organization and Mission: The Office represents the State of Florida in state and federal civil and criminal courts, from trial courts to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Pay: $49,427 – $52,085 annually, commensurate with experience.
Position Summary: The Office of the Attorney General, State of Florida is seeking qualified candidates passionate about protecting Florida’s citizens and businesses. The successful candidate should be a highly talented investigative and analytically minded team member capable of investigating complex matters and bringing them fully through contentious civil litigation. This position is in our Tampa Bureau, and the selected candidate will investigate suspected civil violations and potential criminal violations for referral to criminal law enforcement. The Consumer Protection Division’s mission is to protect consumers from fraud and other financial exploitation, to prevent and stop unfair and deceptive business practices, and to accomplish this mission without undermining the competitive process of trade and commerce.
The Consumer Protection Division is the civil enforcement authority for all multi-circuit violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA; FL Stat 501, Part II). The Division’s attorneys, investigators and support staff protect Florida consumers and businesses by pursuing individuals and entities that engage in unfair methods of competition or unconscionable, deceptive, and unfair practices in any trade or commerce. The Division also often partners with other state attorneys general and state and federal enforcement agencies in joint enforcement efforts. In conjunction with its authority under FDUTPA, the Division also has authority to enforce several related statutes including the civil provisions of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act, through which the Division, where appropriate, pursues the conduct of “enterprises” engaged in continuing patterns of statutorily enumerated illegal activities, such as fraud, theft, and misleading advertising. The Consumer Protection Division is the state’s civil enforcement authority related to Price Gouging (FL Stat 501.160) during a declared state of emergency. The Attorney General also has direct enforcement authority of other state laws related to consumer protection and certain federal rules and statutes related to consumer protection. Follow this link for more information: http://www.myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/Main/18A7753257FE439085256CC9004EC4F7
Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and five years of investigative or law enforcement experience conducting criminal, civil, or administrative investigations or examinations, which must include a minimum of two years of experience with financial investigations, financial examinations or analysis or other related financial investigative experience, or complex organized crime or RICO investigative experience. A master’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of the required experience. Experience in fraud, RICO, or white-collar investigations; financial investigations, examinations or analysis; or law enforcement may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required education. Preference will be given to candidates who possess the Certified Fraud Examiner designation.
Preference will be given to applicants with the following:
- Experience working in a financial investigation position handling consumer financing investigations (first priority for preference)
- Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification through the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE); Certified Financial Crimes Investigator (CFCI) through the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI), or Certified Financial Crime Specialist (CFCS) certification through the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialist (ACFCS)
- Experience as the primary assigned individual conducting fraud, financial crimes, economic crimes, white collar crimes, wire and mail fraud, consumer protection or other complex investigations.
- Experience reviewing financial statements, bank documents and other business documents in the context of evaluating the flags of fraud or determining violations of law, tracking the flow of funds, and/or determining damages and losses for litigation.
- Use of Social Media Intelligence (SOCMINT), Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), and other internet resources to identify individuals, links between organizations, determine size and composition of businesses, and identify assets for forfeiture.
- Use of Microsoft Excel in furtherance of investigations and/or to track and identify trends in financial and banking information
- Experience testifying in depositions, administrative court proceedings, evidentiary hearings, and/or trials.
The selection process may include a Microsoft Excel skill assessment exercise. This skills exercise must be completed in one of the Attorney General’s offices.
The Work You Will Do:
This position is the lead investigator for their assigned cases and has the responsibility for developing complex fraud investigations relating to the enforcement of FDUTPA, presenting their findings to Assistant Attorneys General, and submitting recommendations for appropriate enforcement actions. The investigator will work with other investigative and support staff to ensure continued progress in their cases. Candidates must have a strong understanding of basic investigative techniques, knowledge of the rules of evidence and knowledge of court procedures and requirements. The ability to conduct fact-finding interviews and to collect and analyze information, and determine its validity using deductive reasoning, are key elements of this position. The ability to multitask and work multiple cases at a time, while maintaining a high level of accuracy is essential.
This position will be a lead for the financial investigations focused on the areas of consumer financing, which include areas such as payment processing, mortgage servicing, automobile financing, and other financing products offered to consumers for goods and services. The ideal candidate will have an understanding of effective interest rates, an understanding of accounting principles, and a solid understanding of the regulatory framework related to consumer financial products. Strong financial analysis skills and experience are required.
Duties may include:
- Conduct complex investigations in consumer protection cases, including, but not limited to unfair and deceptive trade practices, consumer fraud, asset forfeiture, organized schemes to defraud, and fraud committed through the use of the internet or other digital means.
- Locate and identify concealed profits in trusts, domestic and foreign corporations, banking institutions, real and personal property and any other method or means of concealment.
- Identify and implement an investigative strategy to ensure timely enforcement recommendations are submitted and pursued.
- Must be able to work as a leader within an investigative team and in working parallel investigations with outside agencies.
- Asset tracing of profits received from unlawful activities through all financial conduits.
- Utilize computers and the internet to develop leads utilizing Social Media intelligence (SOCMINT) and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques to further investigations. This will include capturing digital evidence during your research and compiling it in an acceptable format to be presented as evidence during litigation.
- Utilize deductive reasoning and follow leads through their logical conclusion.
- Draft investigative reports, memorandums of interviews, case summaries, affidavits, subpoenas for use in cases litigated in civil courts of law.
- Present verbal case briefings relating complex fraud scenarios to attorneys and supervisors, often with the use of charts, graphs, PowerPoint, or other visual aids.
- Review affidavits and help prepare for the examination of witnesses.
- Attend depositions, take sworn statements, administer oaths, and interview witnesses.
- Input and maintain data in Excel and databases to analyze trends and develop investigative leads.
- Liaise with other law enforcement and regulatory agencies to develop investigative leads or to respond to requests for information.
- Testify in court hearings, trials, and depositions regarding investigations for which they conducted.
- Review and evaluate consumer complaints to determine if a violation of Florida law exists.
- Conduct investigations of alleged Price Gouging and recommend enforcement action during a declared state of emergency. This may include contacting consumers and businesses to identify and resolve complaints, conducting site visits at businesses to obtain statements and evidence, or serving process such as preservation letters and subpoenas. Note that due to the unexpected timing of many states of emergency, this may require working extended hours, weekends, and/or holidays during a declared state of emergency. This may also involve travel to other affected regions to provide support and assistance in meeting the price gouging enforcement mission of our office.
- Assist attorneys with special assignments, which may require extended hours and/or travel outside the worksite.
Types of Investigations you may spearhead:
- Failure to deliver goods and/or services.
- Telemarketing Boiler Rooms
- Robocalls
- Negative Option and subscription business models
- Household Moving fraud, including Hostage Household Goods, Bait and Switch, or Broker Fraud
- Fraud or Deception in the Auto industry, such as advertising, bait and switch, financing, warranties, online sales, auctions, leases, dealerships, service, and part sales.
- Timeshare Resale
- Mortgage Rescue
- Direct Mail
- Mail and Wire Fraud
- Civil Theft and Fraudulent Transfers
- Reloading Schemes
- Travel and Tourism Scams
- Charities
- Solar industry schemes
- Privacy Concerns
- Age Gate Verification
- Online Marketplaces and Auctions
- Fake Invoice
- Government Imposter Scams
- Imposter PC Tech Support
- Debt Relief
- Scams focusing upon or directly impacting the elderly, disabled, or veterans
- So many more, often our creativity is the only limit to the good impact we may have on harmful business.
The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:
- Annual and Sick Leave benefits.
- Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year.
- State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options.
- Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com).
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Tuition waivers.
- And more!
For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: To be considered for the position, all applicants must:
Submit a complete and accurate application profile necessary for qualifying such as dates of service, reason for leaving, etc. In addition, all applicants must ensure all employment and/or detailed information about work experience is listed on the application (including military service, self-employment, job-related volunteer work, internships, etc.) and that gaps in employment are explained. NOTE: Any required experience and/or preferences listed in the advertisement must be verified at the time of application.
- Ensure that applicant responses to qualifying questions are verifiable by skills and/or experience stated on the employment application and/or resume. Applicants who do not respond to the qualifying questions will not be considered for this position.
- The elements of the selection process may include a skill assessment exercise.
- Current and future vacancies may be filled from this advertisement for a period of up to six months. Following the six-month period, a new application must be submitted to an open advertisement to be considered for that vacancy.
- OAG employees are paid biweekly. All state employees are required to participate in the direct deposit program pursuant to s. 110.113, F.S.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS/ DRUG FREE WORKPLACE: All OAG positions are “sensitive or special trust” and require favorable results on a background investigation including fingerprinting, pursuant to s. 110.1127(2)(a), F.S. The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free Workplace, all employees are subject to reasonable suspicion or other drug testing in accordance with section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. We hire only U.S. citizens and those lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.
E-VERIFY STATEMENT: The Office of the Attorney General participates in the U.S. government’s employment eligibility verification program (e-verify). E-verify is a program that electronically confirms an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States after completion of the employment eligibility verification form (i-9).
REMINDERS: Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website at: https: //www.sss.gov. If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.