Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Overview
Suspicious activity reporting, also known as SAR, is a tool offered under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) of 1970. The purpose of SAR is to keep track of anonymous and suspicious activities that are usually considered under other reports such as the Currency Transaction Report (CTR).
SAR filing has become mandatory for financial organizations in order to report financial crimes. SAR in AML (Anti-Money Laundering) can cover almost every activity that is unusual and suspicious. These activities include acts that may lead to the suspicious account holder attempting something to hide or making illegal transactions.
Significance of SAR Filing
SAR is one of the important parts of anti-money laundering compliance regulations that has become a standard since 2001. Nonetheless, the USA Patriot Act essentially boosted the SAR reporting requirements being a part of AML to fight against national and international terrorism. The objective of SAR and its consequential analysis is to identify clients who are engaged in money laundering, financing terrorism, and other fraudulent activities.
If the financial company fails to file SAR or discloses the customer’s identity, they may encounter huge penalties for both the people filing SAR reports and the institution. However, SAR allows law enforcement to observe any trends and patterns of fraudulent activities being conducted in an organized manner.
Through the above explained process, financial organizations can monitor any criminal activity or fraudulent behavior, and combat it before it escalates into a bigger financial risk.
Also Read: Due Diligence Checklist 2023: A Guide To Ensure AML Compliance
FinCEN on Filing SAR
In 2022, FinCEN proposed a pilot program allowing financial institutions to share Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) with foreign branches, subsidiaries, and affiliates to combat illicit finance risks. The program aimed to enhance risk management through improved SAR filing. FinCEN also asked for public opinion on this proposal.
UKFIU on SAR
UK’s financial intelligence unit under the wing of the National Crime Agency (NCA) publishes the SAR Reporter Booklet every three months. In the latest booklet of August 2023, the agency compiled case studies of SAR-filed reports. These case studies ranged from Drug trafficking, Money laundering, and Vulnerable Persons to Fraud.
SAR Reporting Requirements
The requirements for reporting suspicious transactions of money laundering have been expanded dramatically since 2021 along with the representation of the AML Act of 2020. If a financial institution wants to file a report against money laundering, it must do it within 30 days regardless of the type of fraudulent act that is not ordinary. However, the reporting time can be extended to up to 60 days, only if more evidence is required. Yet, the firm does not require any proof about the occurrence of the crime and the customer or account holder does not get notified about the SAR filing.
To file a suspicious activity report, the financial firm needs to fill out the SAR form and provide information about several factors of the crime being reported. These elements include:
- Information about the person conducting suspicious activity.
- If any specific tool or instrument is being used to conduct the crime.
- The place where the crime took place.
- The time when the event occurred.
- The reason that the filer thinks the activity is suspicious.
SAR Statistics 2023: Insights and Predictions
In this section, we have summarized the key takeaways from the three publications by world-renowned regulatory authorities on SAR.
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Furthermore, the National Anti-Money Laundering & Combating Terrorism Financing Committee of the UAE published a thematic review on Suspicious Activity Reporting this year. It focuses on the regulatory deficient practices & expectations from DNFBPs & LFIs (licensed financial institutions).
Industries that Require SAR
Suspicious Activities can occur in any business or industry that offer lucrative returns. Following is a list of industries that should consider Suspicious Activity Reporting as one of the crucial components of compliance & risk management strategies.
- Financial Services
- Real Estate
- Casinos & Gaming
- Jewelry & Precious Metals
- Cryptocurrency Exchanges
- High-value Retail Sector
- Non-profit organizations
- Law Firms
- Insurance Companies
- Automotive Dealers
- Import & Export Businesses
3 Best Ways to Identify and File Suspicious Activities
If you witness any suspicious activity and want to file a report, there are three best ways to file suspicious activity reporting:
i. Educate your Team about SAR Principles
It is crucial to make sure that all employees dealing with clients’ accounts are knowledgeable about SAR regulations, principles, and common risks associated with it. Yet, the more people within an organization are aware of these money laundering red flags, the more convenient it would be to monitor and prevent suspicious activity in bank accounts or other institutions.
ii. Filing SAR as Soon as Possible
If you want to file a suspicious activity report, it is compulsory to do it within 30 days. However, this period can be extended to 60 days in case more evidence is required. However, if it is convenient for financial organizations to wait for weeks or so in order to complete the paperwork, it is crucial to file the report as early as possible. Nevertheless, while filing SAR report, financial firms should convey information about the transaction red flags to minimize the likelihood of facing future penalties.
iii. Record Unusual Transactions
There are numerous signs and red flags that can indicate money laundering or other mysterious activities. However, the most common one is unusual or suspicious transactions. It may include a significant amount of funds deposit, money transfers that are not relevant to the underlying business, or international transactions. Recording all these transactions and observing them makes it easier for financial companies to monitor and file against criminal activities.
In case if financial institutions or banks fail to file an SAR within the timeline, they might face legal consequences, increased risk of financial crimes, and reputational damage. So, it is crucial for businesses to value the importance of filing SAR in a timely manner.
Bottom Line
Suspicious activity reporting is a tool that helps financial institutions to file reports against money laundering and fraudulent activities. If financial firms observe any suspicious activity, it is mandatory to file a report against such occurrences while keeping the customer or account holder confidential. However, in case they fail to file against these acts or disclose user information, they may face huge penalties in the future. Thus, if you witness any criminal activity within a financial organization, there are various ways to report these events and prevent your business from further loss.