Company Fraud
As a successful Company Director your priorities are to make a profit, retain your good reputation, and maintain an honest workforce. When you discover a financial problem or fraud it is therefore important to reach a solution which takes account of those priorities. Sometimes this may involve the Police or Civil Court action or dismissal of staff, but it will always involve a professional and practical investigation process. The Fraud Advisor understands how essential confidentiality is at all times.
Fraud is a crime. So why is it that when you report to the Police they do not always investigate your case?
Sometimes it is because they do not have sufficient resources and fraud is a low priority. Sometimes it is because you have not provided enough evidence and the Police consider it to be a civil matter. What does 'civil' mean? A debt is an example of a civil matter. Civil matters are settled in County Courts and are not dealt with by the Police.
The fact of the matter is that fraud can be dealt with in either a civil way or a criminal way. If you wish you can take action through the civil processes to recover your money. This may sound expensive and often it is, but it can also be a successful way of getting to the money and requires less evidence than a criminal case.
The decision is yours and to come to a conclusion you need the best advice you can get at the earliest stage if the money is not to disappear.
All Companies should anticipate future fraud by having in place an anti-fraud policy which is updated annually.
- Are you confused about how, or whether, to report a fraud?
The Fraud Advisor can help.
By analysing your case, investigating it and translating it into useful evidence. By preparing the evidence package to a standard that will be presentable and legally acceptable. By explaining and suggesting practical alternatives, including civil resolution.
- Are you having difficulty reporting your fraud to the authorities?
The Fraud Advisor can help.
By preparing the evidence package to a standard that will improve the presentation of your case, within legal rules, and by explaining practical alternatives.
- Are you in the business of investigating fraud?
The Fraud Advisor can help.
By offering assistance, advice or training using a variety of methods based on past experience and a professional knowledge of current legislation. Simply taking witness statements in a legally acceptable format could be the answer.
- Are you the victim of international fraud?
The Fraud Advisor can help.
By informing you of international policing issues and explaining practical ways of dealing with the problems.
- Does your company have an effective anti-fraud policy?
The Fraud Advisor can help.
By using an ACFE-approved system to highlight fraud risks and assess your 'weak links' and suggest cost-effective improvements in your fraud prevention measures.
- Have you considered how The Fraud Act 2006 can be effective in dealing with dishonesty within your Company?
The Fraud Advisor can help.
By explaining in simple terms how recent legislation is intended to help you any your Company.
- How does your Company deal with non-payment and non-delivery?
The Fraud Advisor can help.
With effective methods of resolving debt issues including tracing and identfying rogue traders.
Note to National and International Investigators
The Fraud Advisor, being Sussex-based, can assist fraud investigators from all industries and organisations in taking statements in the Sussex area, and can assist International Police Forces and International Investigators in statement taking, and other fraud enquiries anywhere in the UK.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CONFIDENTIALITY
A personal message from Dick Bollard: -
"29 in 30 commercial frauds are never reported to Police. The predominant reason is a concern that the publicity may have a negative effect on business either through share prices dropping or customers going elsewhere through fear of fraud.
Charities suffer if donors think their money is likely to be stolen. Banks suffer adverse reactions to publicity about fraud, and customers leave. All businesses need to avoid bad publicity.
It is therefore essential that I understand your concerns and promise absolute confidentiality from the first moment you contact me.
My reputation depends on confidentiality."
Dick Bollard