Spotting Red Flags – International Fraud Awareness Week

As we reach the midpoint of International Fraud Awareness Week 2024, let's focus on recognising potential indicators of fraud

This week is all about shining a spotlight on fraud including what fraud looks like, how to spot it, and what to do if you suspect something.

Every Vale of Glamorgan employee should care about and be involved in fraud prevention – our collective vigilance makes a real difference. Here are some examples to watch out for in your day-to-day job.

Unusual financial activities

• Duplicate invoices

• Unusual, complex or new transactions, particularly if they occur at year end or the end of a reporting period

Suspicious behaviours 

• Reluctance to take leave or share duties

• Excessive secrecy or unusual withdrawal from colleagues

Procurement oddities 

• Reluctance to take leave or share duties

• Excessive secrecy or unusual withdrawal from colleagues

Document discrepancies 

• Missing documents, copies, documents in pencil, altered documents and false signatures

Remember, your vigilance protects public funds!

If you would like to arrange Fraud Awareness training for your staff, you can contact the Corporate Fraud Officer: ngalvin@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk 

As International Fraud Awareness Week continues, staff are encouraged to join the Council in supporting the campaign as more important fraud issues and topics will be discussed over the next few days.

For further advice on how you can protect yourself against fraud, please take a look at the useful resources on the Action Fraud website.