Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) Practice Exam

Which risk is characterized by unauthorized alteration or direction of funds in a payment transaction?

1. Credit Risk

2. Fraud Risk

3. Market Risk

4. Liquidity Risk

The correct answer is: Fraud Risk

Fraud risk is specifically associated with the unauthorized alteration or direction of funds in a payment transaction. This type of risk arises when individuals or entities attempt to deceive financial institutions or other parties into processing payments that are not legitimate. The scenario often involves tactics such as phishing, social engineering, or hacking, where the fraudster manipulates transaction details to divert funds to an account they control, rather than the intended recipient. In the context of payment systems, understanding fraud risk is critical because it encompasses a wide range of threats that can lead to significant financial losses for both businesses and individuals. Financial institutions implement various security measures and protocols to mitigate this risk, such as transaction monitoring and multi-factor authentication. The other types of risks mentioned do not pertain to this particular scenario. Credit risk relates to the possibility that a borrower will default on a loan or obligation, market risk involves the potential for losses due to changes in market conditions, and liquidity risk refers to the inability to meet short-term financial obligations. Thus, the characterization of fraudulent activities that alter transaction directions clearly aligns with fraud risk.