What type of fraud utilizes the ACH network to illegally access funds?

ACH fraud refers specifically to fraudulent activities that exploit the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network, which is used for various electronic transactions, including direct deposits and payments. This type of fraud typically involves unauthorized access to an individual's or an organization's bank account information to initiate unauthorized transfers or withdrawals.

In the case of ACH fraud, perpetrators may use various tactics such as phishing, social engineering, or hacking to obtain sensitive account information. Once they gain access, they can initiate ACH transfers that deplete funds from the targeted accounts, often before the account holder even realizes the fraud has occurred.

User-generated transaction fraud relates to transactions that are initiated by the user but manipulated in some way, while card-not-present fraud typically involves credit or debit card transactions made without the physical card being present, often through online channels. Wire transfer fraud, on the other hand, generally involves direct transfers through wiring systems, which are different from the ACH process.

Given these definitions and contexts, the option relating to ACH fraud is clearly the one that directly addresses the question about utilizing the ACH network to illegally access funds.