BSA/AML/CFT – Fraud and Suspicious Activity Red Flags Guide
Updated 09/17/2026
This guide provides a practical reference for identifying red flags associated with money laundering, terrorist financing, fraud, and other suspicious activity. It also covers SAR filing requirements, SAR confidentiality considerations, and Section 314(b) information-sharing guidance.
Rule: FFIEC BSA/AML Examination Manual
Toolkit: BSA AML OFAC
Keywords: Money laundering, Terrorist financing, Fraud, Suspicious activity, Red flags, BSA red flags, SAR red flags, Identifying red flags, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Suspicious Activity Report (SAR), Fraud schemes
6/12/2026 – Note: On May 19, 2026, President Trump issued Executive Order 14406, Restoring Integrity to America’s Financial System. Subsequently, FinCEN, jointly with the FDIC and OCC, issued Joint Advisory FIN-2026-A002 addressing BSA/AML risks associated with non-work-authorized populations, and the CFPB issued its Statement on Ability to Repay and Immigration Status regarding the consideration of immigration status and repayment risk in underwriting decisions. As of this writing, additional guidance regarding related credit-risk management expectations remains pending.
9/17/2026 – Formerly titled BSA/AML Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Red Flags Cheat Sheet. Updated and expanded to include red flags for various fraud schemes, along with SAR filing considerations and SAR confidentiality guidance.
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