What's happening Fraud Fighters?

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Have you ever felt alone in a room full of people?

Every fraud fighter knows the technical aspects of their job. But what about the emotional and mental battles, especially when feeling isolated?

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Let's investigate further.

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Read Time: ~3.89 Minutes

It's the fraud team vs everyone

I wore the fraud team of 1 badge with honor.

Constantly operating at 110% capacity, I found myself continually justifying my role, projects, and the existence of my work.

It's one thing to manage all tasks single-handedly. There's even a certain thrill in it. But without someone to bounce ideas off of, to share the highs and lows with, the walls of my office felt like they were closing in on me. It felt like me against the world.

What really got to me wasn’t the workload – it was feeling like I was alone.

I'd pass teams laughing over inside jokes, debating project details, or collaborating on shared challenges. Meanwhile, my desk, slightly removed from the others, became a metaphor for my role.

I constantly found myself wishing someone at work just got it. Someone to nod and say, "I've been there" or "I totally get it." But those moments didn't exist.

Each project felt like presenting a thesis, always prepared with a defense on why this was a priority and why it mattered to the company, without having someone on my side. This constant justification took its toll.

I really needed to know - Was there anyone else experiencing what I felt daily?

Seeking community beyond borders

Searching for understanding, I turned to LinkedIn.

It wasn’t about seeking a new role but more about seeking sanity. I just wanted to feel understood. Am I the only one feeling this way? Or were there others who felt the same weight of solitude?

To my relief, I wasn't alone.

At first, I just wanted to connect with people who understood my job and its challenges. This new network wasn't just a support group—it became my university.

The experienced folks I met in fraud prevention taught me a lot. They didn’t just say, “It’s okay.” They handed me strategies. Instead of getting frustrated whenever someone questioned my approach, they taught me to lean in and really listen.

I wasn’t just avoiding conflict. I was building partners.

Instead of the old, frustrated, "Why don’t they get what I’m saying?", I shifted gears. I began asking myself, "Okay, how can I explain this better? How can we sync up?"

I found myself becoming far more patient. I found myself feeling less alone.

The one-person connection framework

The idea of reaching out cold to someone, especially a seasoned professional, was scary.

Each time I hovered over the "send" button, a flurry of doubts and questions overtook my thought. Wondering "Would they find my message too forward? Would they even respond? Why would they even respond?"

In this age of mass communication, it's easy to fall into the trap of impersonalized outreach – firing off identical messages hoping that at least one would stick. But somewhere along the way, I began to question my methods. So, I set tiny goal for myself.

Find 1 person to meet.

That's it - just one person.

Not ten. Not five. Just one.

I meticulously researched, looking for someone who seemed approachable and had experiences I could learn from. Crafting that message became a project in itself. It wasn’t about impressing them. It was about reaching out authentically, hoping for a mutual convo of experiences.

Not everyone responded. Not everyone had time that I reached out to. I was still surprised by how many people were more than willing to hop on a call.

Now I have a challenge for you:

​Goal: Connect genuinely with one person using the one-person connection framework.

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​1. Define Your Objective:

• Before diving in, clarify for yourself: Why do you want to connect? Is it mentorship, knowledge-sharing, or simply networking?

2. Research Your Connection:

• Dive into LinkedIn or industry platforms.

• Look for individuals who align with your goals: Those who’ve faced similar challenges, or have the knowledge you seek.

• Don’t just focus on 'big names.' Sometimes, professionals at your level or just a step ahead can offer incredible insights.

3. Craft Your Message:

• Start with a genuine curiosity.

• Be transparent about why you're reaching out. Authenticity is key.

• Keep it succinct. Respect their time.

4. Propose a Meeting:

• Suggest a brief call or meetup if they're local. Specify that it’s about sharing experiences and learning. No hidden agendas.

• Offer flexibility in timing.

5. Prepare and Respect Their Time:

• If they agree, come prepared. Have questions ready, but let the conversation flow naturally.

• Respect the agreed time frame. If you asked for 15 minutes, keep to 15 minutes.

6. Follow Up & Nurture:

• Send a thank-you note after your meet. Express gratitude for the shared insights.

• Remember, this is about relationship-building. Check in periodically and offer value when you can.

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That’s it

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See you again next Friday in your inbox.

​Brian

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→ Today's action step: Read back through this issue and figure out where you’re at. Find the relevant suggestions I laid out and choose just one to move forward with next week.

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If you’re looking to build your career, I hope these can be resources for you:

1. ​Find Companies Actively Hiring: Have you ever wondered why there are no fraud and trust & safety job boards? Build the fraud career you deserve with job board and career resources.

2. ​Upcoming Events: This was a big week. We got 8 people who are ready to create some exclusive content for you.

3. ​Community: psst we're launching real soon and making it much easier to meet other fraud fighters. Want access before anyone else and maybe some other goodies....?