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SAR Advisory Key Terms

(Last updated January 2026.)

 

This webpage contains a list of Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) key terms found in FinCEN advisories and similar products. Not all FinCEN advisories contain key terms or SAR field number instructions; in those instances, see the applicable advisory for filing instructions

FINANCIAL ACTIVITYREQUESTED KEY ADVISORY TERMSDATEFinCEN Number and Other Associated Advisories
FinCEN Alert on Fraud Rings and Their Exploitation of Federal Child Nutrition Programs in MinnesotaFIN-2026-MNFRAUD01/09/2026FIN-2026-Alert001
FinCEN Alert on Cross-Border Funds Transfers Involving Illegal AliensFIN-2025-Alert00311/28/2025FIN-2025-Alert003
FinCEN Notice on Financially Motivated SextortionFIN-2025-SEXTORTION09/08/2025FIN-2025-NTC2
FinCEN Advisory on the Use of Chinese Money Laundering Networks by Mexico-Based Transnational Criminal Organizations to Launder Illicit ProceedsCMLN-2025-A00308/28/2025FIN-2025-A003
FinCEN Notice on the Use of Convertible Virtual Currency Kiosks for Scam Payments and Other Illicit ActivityFIN-2025-CVCKIOSK08/04/2025FIN-2025-CVCKIOSK
Advisory on the Iranian Regime’s Illicit Oil Smuggling Activities, Shadow Banking Networks, and Weapons Procurement EffortsIRAN-2025-A00206/06/2025FIN-2025-A002
FIN-2024-Alert003
FIN-2024-A001
FinCEN-2023-Alert006
FinCEN Alert on Oil Smuggling Schemes on the U.S. Southwest Border Associated with Mexico-Based CartelsFIN-2025-OILSMUGGLING05/01/2025FIN-2025-Alert002
FinCEN Advisory on the Financing of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and its Global AffiliatesISIS-2025-A00104/01/2025FIN-2025-A001
FinCEN Alert on Bulk Cash Smuggling and Repatriation by Mexico-Based Transnational Criminal OrganizationsFIN-2025-BULKCASH03/31/2025FIN-2025-Alert001
FIN-2024-NTC2
FIN-2024-A002
FIN-2023-Alert001
FIN-2019-A006
FinCEN Alert on Fraud Schemes Abusing FinCEN’s Name, Insignia, and Authorities for Financial GainFIN-2024-FINCENSCAMS12/18/2024FIN-2024-Alert005
FinCEN Alert on Fraud Schemes Involving Deepfake Media Targeting Financial InstitutionsFIN-2024-DEEPFAKEFRAUD11/13/2024FIN-2024-Alert004
FinCEN Alert to Financial Institutions to Counter Financing of Hizballah and its Terrorist ActivitiesIRANTF-2024-A00110/23/2024FIN-2024-Alert003
FIN-2024-A001
FinCEN, OFAC, and FBI Joint Notice on Timeshare Fraud Associated with Mexico-Based Transnational Criminal OrganizationsFIN-2024-NTC207/16/2024FIN-2024-NTC2
(Rescinded as of Jan. 29, 2025) Supplemental Alert: FinCEN Highlights Additional Red Flags Regarding Financing of Israeli Extremist Settler Violence Against Palestinians in the West BankFIN-2024-WBEXTREMISM07/11/2024Rescinded
Supplemental Advisory on the Procurement of Precursor Chemicals and Manufacturing Equipment Used for the Synthesis of Illicit Fentanyl and Other Synthetic OpioidsFENTANYL FIN-2024-A00206/20/2024FIN-2024-A002
Advisory to Counter the Financing of Iran-Backed Terrorist OrganizationsIRANTF-2024-A00105/08/2024FIN-2024-A001
FinCEN Notice on the Use of Counterfeit U.S. Passport Cards to Perpetrate Identity Theft and Fraud Schemes at Financial InstitutionsFIN-2024-NTC104/15/2024FIN-2024-NTC1
(Rescinded as of Jan. 29, 2025) FinCEN Issues Alert on Israeli Extremist Settler Violence Against Palestinians in the West BankFIN-2024-WBEXTREMISM02/01/2024Rescinded
FinCEN Alert on COVID-19 Employee Retention Credit FraudFIN-2023-ERC11/22/2023FIN-2023-Alert007
FinCEN and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security Announce New Reporting Key Term and Highlight Red Flags Relating to Global Evasion of U.S. Export ControlsFIN-2023-GLOBALEXPORT11/6/2023FIN-2023-NTC2
FinCEN Alert to Financial Institutions to Counter Financing to Hamas and its Terrorist ActivitiesFIN-2023-TFHAMAS10/20/2023FinCEN-2023-Alert006
FinCEN Alert on Prevalent Virtual Currency Investment Scam Commonly Known as “Pig Butchering”FIN-2023-PIGBUTCHERING09/08/2023FinCEN-2023-Alert005
Notice on Payroll Tax Evasion and Workers’ Compensation Fraud in the Construction SectorFIN-2023-NTC108/15/2023FIN-2023-NTC1
Supplemental Alert: FinCEN and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security Urge Continued Vigilance for Potential Russian Export Control Evasion AttemptsFIN-2022-RUSSIABIS05/19/2023FIN-2023-Alert004
FIN-2022-Alert003
FinCEN Alert on Nationwide Surge in Mail Theft-Related Check Fraud Schemes Targeting the U.S. MailFIN-2023-MAILTHEFT02/27/2023FIN-2023-Alert003
FinCEN Alert on Potential U.S. Commercial Real Estate Investments by Sanctioned Russian Elites, Oligarchs, and Their ProxiesFIN-2023-RUSSIACRE01/25/2023FIN-2023-Alert002
FinCEN Alert on Human Smuggling Along the Southwest Border of the United StatesFIN-2023-HUMANSMUGGLING01/13/2023FIN-2023-Alert001
FIN-2020-A008
FIN-2014-A008
Joint Alert on Increased Vigilance for Potential Russian and Belarusian Export Control Evasion AttemptsFIN-2022-RUSSIABIS06/28/2022FIN-2022-Alert003
Advisory on Elder Financial ExploitationEFE FIN-2022-A00206/15/2022FIN-2022-A002
Advisory on Kleptocracy and Foreign Public CorruptionCORRUPTION FIN-2022-A00104/14/2022FIN-2022-A001
Alert on Real Estate, Luxury, Goods, and High-Value Assets Involving Russian Elites, Oligarchs, and Family MembersFIN-2022-RUSSIALUXURY03/16/2022FIN-2022-Alert002
Alert on Increased Vigilance for Potential Russian Sanctions Evasion AttemptsFIN-2022-RUSSIASANCTIONS03/7/2022FIN-2022-Alert001
Notice on Environmental CrimesFIN-2021-NTC411/18/2021FIN-2021-NTC4
Advisories on Ransomware ActivityCYBER FIN-2021-A00411/8/2021FIN-2021-A004
FIN-2020-A006 (updated and replaced on 11/8/21)
Notice on Child Sexual Exploitation CrimesOCSE-FIN-2021-NTC309/16/2021FIN-2021-NTC3
Notice on Trade in Antiquities and ArtFIN-2021-NTC203/9/2021FIN-2021-NTC2
Advisory on COVID-19 Economic Impact PaymentFIN-2021-A00202/24/2021FIN-2021-A002
Consolidated COVID-19 Suspicious Activity Report Key Terms and Filing InstructionsSee Notice Table 1 and 2 for Details02/24/2021FIN-2021-NTC1
Advisory on Health Insurance and Health Care-Related FraudFIN-2021-A00102/2/2021FIN-2021-A001
Notice on COVID-19 Vaccine-Related Scams and CyberattacksFIN-2020-NTC412/28/2020FIN-2020-NTC4
Advisory on FATF Jurisdictions with AML/CFT DeficienciesOCTOBER 2020 FATF FIN-2020-A00911/6/2020FIN-2020-A009
Advisory on Human Trafficking and Related ActivityHUMAN TRAFFICKING FIN-2020-A00810/15/2020FIN-2020-A008
Advisory on COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance FraudCOVID19 UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FRAUD FIN-2020-A00710/13/2020FIN-2020-A007
Advisories on COVID-19 Cybercrime and Cyber-Enabled CrimeCOVID19-CYBER FIN-2020-A00507/30/2020FIN-2020-A005
Advisory on FATF Jurisdictions with AML/CFT DeficienciesJUNE 2020 FATF FIN-2020-A00407/14/2020FIN-2020-A004
Advisory on COVID-19 Imposter Scams and Money Mule SchemesCOVID19 MM FIN-2020-A00307/7/2020FIN-2020-A003
Advisories on Loan Modification and Foreclosure Rescue ScamsFORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAM08/06/2012FIN-2009-A001
FIN-2010-A006
FIN-2012-A009
Advisory on COVID-19 Medical ScamsCOVID19 FIN-2020-A00205/18/2020FIN-2020-A002
Advisory on FATF Jurisdictions with AML/CFT DeficienciesFEBRUARY 2020 FATF FIN-2020-A00103/26/2020FIN-2020-A001
Notice to Financial Institutions on COVID-19COVID1903/16/2020FIN-2020-NTC1
Advisories on Trafficking of Fentanyl and Other Synthetic OpioidsFENTANYL FIN-2019-A00608/21/2019FIN-2019-A006
FIN-2011-A009
Advisories on Email Compromise Fraud SchemesBEC FRAUD
EAC FRAUD
BEC DATA THEFT
07/16/2019FIN-2019-A005
Advisory on Illicit Convertible Virtual Currency ActivityCVC FIN-2019-A00305/09/2019FIN-2019-A003
Updated Advisory on Public Corruption in VenezuelaVENEZUELA CORRUPTION FIN-2019-A00205/03/2019FIN-2019-A002
Advisories on Iranian Regime and Malign ActivitiesIRAN FIN-2018-A00610/11/2018FIN-2018-A006
FIN-2010-A008
Advisory on Proceeds of Public Corruption in NicaraguaNICARAGUA FIN-2018-A00510/04/2018FIN-2018-A005
Advisory on Human Rights Abuses Enabled by Corrupt Senior Foreign Political FiguresFINANCIAL FACILITATOR FIN-2018-A00306/12/2018FIN-2018-A003
Advisories on North KoreaSee Advisory for Details11/02/2017FIN-2017-A008
FIN-2013-A005
FIN-2009-A002
Advisory on Disaster-Related FraudDISASTER-RELATED FRAUD10/31/2017FIN-2017-A007
Advisory on Public Corruption in VenezuelaVENEZUELAN CORRUPTION09/20/2017FIN-2017-A006
Advisory on Political Corruption in South SudanSOUTH SUDAN09/06/2017FIN-2017-A004
Advisory on Real Estate Firms and ProfessionalsADVISORY REAL ESTATE08/22/2017FIN-2017-A003
Advisory to Financial Institutions on Cyber-Events and Cyber-Enabled CrimeSee Advisory for Details10/25/2016FIN-2016-A005
Advisory on Email Compromise Fraud SchemesBEC Fraud
EAC Fraud
09/06/2016FIN-2016-A003
Advisory on Human Smuggling and Human Trafficking SchemesADVISORY HUMAN SMUGGLING 
ADVISORY HUMAN TRAFFICKING
09/11/2014FIN-2014-A008
Advisory on U.S. Currency Restrictions in Mexico: Funnel Accounts and TBMLFUNNEL ACCOUNT 05/28/2014FIN-2014-A005
Advisories on Trade Based Money LaunderingTBML
BMPE
FUNNEL ACCOUNT
MX RESTRICTION
05/28/2014FIN-2014-A005
FIN-2010-A001
Advisory on Citizen by Investment Programs in Federation of St. Kitts and NevisSKN PASSPORT05/20/2014FIN-2014-A004
Advisories on U.S. Currency Restrictions in MexicoMX RESTRICTION09/27/2013FIN-2013-A007
FIN-2012-A006
FIN-2010-A007
Advisories on SyriaSYRIA04/15/2013Rescinded
Rescinded
Rescinded
Update Advisories on Tax Refund and Related Identity TheftTAX REFUND FRAUD02/26/2013FIN-2012-A005
FIN-2013-A001
Advisory on Third-Party Payment ProcessorsPayment Processor10/22/2012FIN-2012-A010
Advisory on SAR Confidentiality for Internal and External Counsel of Financial InstitutionsSee Advisory for Details03/02/2012FIN-2012-A002
Advisory on Foreign-Located MSBsSee Advisory for Details02/15/2012FIN-2012-A001
Advisory on Account Takeover ActivityACCOUNT TAKEOVER FRAUD12/19/2011FIN-2011-A016
Advisory on Commercial Real Estate FraudCREF 03/30/2011FIN-2011-A007
Advisory on Elderly Financial Exploitationelder financial exploitation02/22/2011FIN-2011-A003
Advisory on Informal Value Transfer SystemIVTS09/01/2010FIN-2010-A011
Advisory on Home Equity Conversions Mortgage Fraud SchemesHECM
FHA
04/27/2010FIN-2010-A005
Advisory on TARP-Related ProgramsSIGTARP10/14/2009FIN-2009-A006
Advisory on Structuring by Casino Patrons and PersonnelSee Advisory for Details07/01/2009FIN-2009-A003

Questions or comments regarding the contents of this guide should be addressed to the FinCEN Regulatory Helpline at 800-949-2732.