International Fraud Awareness Week 2024

The Council are taking part in the annual campaign to help raise awareness of fraud within Local Government, and how to prevent it.

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.

Staff are encouraged to join us in supporting the campaign as important fraud issues and topics are discussed throughout the upcoming week.

As a Council, we are extremely vulnerable to criminal activity as fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated in targeting local authorities.

Staff play a key role in protecting the Council against the risk of fraud and corruption and it is vital that we are all aware of the signs to look out for.

Why is Fraud Awareness Week so important?

Fraud deprives local authorities of vital resources that it needs to provide our public services. As well as financial loss, fraud can also damage the Council’s reputation. As a result, it is important that staff are aware and work together to combat it.

What are some Fraud Risk Areas to be aware of?

• Blue Badge: Use of counterfeit/altered badges, use when disabled person is not in the vehicle, use of a deceased person’s Blue Badge, badges issued to institutions being misused by employees. 
• Council Tax: Discounts and exemptions, council tax support.
• Business Rates: Fraudulent applications for exemptions and reliefs, unlisted properties.
• Insurance Fraud: False claims including slips and trips.
• Grant Fraud: Work not carried out, funds diverted, ineligibility not declared.
• Social Care Fraud: Personal budgets and direct payments: overstatement of needs through false declaration, multiple claims across authorities, third party abuse by carer, family or organisation, posthumous continuation of claims.
• Money Laundering: Exposure to suspect transactions.
• Commissioning of Services: Including joint commissioning, joint ventures, commercial services, third sector partnerships – conflicts of interest, collusion. 
• Tenancy Fraud: Fraudulent applications for housing or successions of tenancy and subletting of the property.
• Procurement Fraud: Tendering issues, split contracts, double invoicing.
• Payroll Fraud: False employees, overtime claims, expenses.
• Identity Fraud: False identity/fictitious persons applying for services or payments.  
• Disabled Facility Grants: Fraudulent applications for adaptions to homes aimed at the disabled.

What should you do if you suspect fraud, bribery, or corruption against the Council?

If you suspect fraud, bribery or corruption against the Council, then please report your concerns to Internal Audit:

• Nic Galvin – Corporate Fraud Officer:
  ngalvin@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
  
• Joan Davies – Deputy Head of Regional Internal Audit Service: JDavies@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
• Andrew Wathan – Head of Regional Internal Audit Service: awathan@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Or use the Council’s confidential ‘Speak Out’ online option.

Please refer to the Councils Whistleblowing Policy for making protected disclosure.

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