Verbal Request from the FBI

First, make certain that you know whom you are dealing with by obtaining and verifying the agent's identification. If the agent is asking about a SAR filing, you should refer him or her to whomever in your organization maintains SAR records and those records used to support the SAR filing can be shared with the agent, without any need for a subpoena. If the inquiry is not about a SAR, the agent should provide a subpoena or other document compelling the release of information. The oral inquiry would not be enough for you to provide information.

First published on BankersOnline.com 10/08/07