Risk Investigator

Job Description

Job Description

At Koalafi, we believe in a world where no one has to put an important purchase on hold. That's why we're making it easier for more people to pay for big purchases over time.

Retailers across the country rely on us to offer flexible lease-to-own financing to their non-prime consumers, while increasing sales and strengthening customer loyalty. Their 2M+ customers love us because we provide a flexible way for them to make payments and give them an opportunity to improve their credit. Our 200+ Koalafi teammates enjoy inspiring and challenging work that accelerates their careers.

Interested in learning more about how we're transforming the financing experience and joining our team?

What You'll Do :

Fraud is a fast-evolving challenge in the financial industry—identity theft alone accounts for an estimated $700 billion in annual losses. At Koalafi, we're on a mission to provide simple, transparent point-of-sale financing that helps people get what they need, while protecting the integrity of our platform.

As a Risk Investigator , you'll be at the heart of that mission. You'll play a critical role in protecting Koalafi's customers, merchant partners, and business by identifying, investigating, and mitigating fraud risks—while collaborating with teams across the company to make smart, informed decisions in the face of complexity.

Monitor and investigate risk signals across both customer and merchant activity, using tools like internal systems, third-party platforms, and open-source research.

Conduct onboarding reviews for new merchants , identifying red flags or inconsistencies during due diligence.

Continuously monitor and assess merchant performance , following up on signs of potentially fraudulent or abusive behavior.

Investigate applications flagged for fraud , including synthetic or manipulated identities, cases involving vulnerable individuals, or misuse of trusted relationships.

Identify emerging fraud trends by spotting systemic patterns and proposing solutions or process changes to address them.

Manage inbound fraud claims with professionalism and empathy, balancing customer care and risk mitigation.

Collaborate closely with partners across Sales, Operations, Fraud Analytics, and Compliance to build a cohesive and informed response to complex fraud scenarios.

Document findings clearly and consistently , contributing to team knowledge and process improvements.

Support ad hoc investigations into novel or unusual fraud risks that don't fit established patterns.

About You (Qualifications)

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience

2+ years of fraud detection, investigation, or related experience

Strong attention to detail and pattern recognition—you're energized by solving puzzles others might miss

A self-starter mindset with a strong sense of ownership

Comfortable navigating challenging conversations with merchants and partners

Proficiency in tools like Microsoft Excel and Word; familiarity with fraud databases or investigative platforms is a plus

Clear and concise communication skills, both verbal and written

Collaborative spirit and ability to work cross-functionally

Commitment to confidentiality and a strong ethical compass

Flexibility to occasionally work evenings or weekends as fraud trends demand

• Location Requirement : This position requires regular in-person attendance at our office (Richmond, VA). Candidates must already be located within a commutable distance to our office location, as relocation assistance is not available at this time.

Bonus : Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred

Why choose Koalafi : A career at Koalafi means opportunities to tackle exciting challenges every single day. We take pride in a culture of innovation, trust, and ownership. You'll get outside your comfort zone, build meaningful relationships, and most of all, take charge of projects that ultimately help people get the things they need most.

Benefits :

At Koalafi, you will have a direct impact on our products and help shape the company's success. We offer competitive compensation & benefits packages to keep you at your best :

Who we are & what we value :