Who Commits Fraud?

The 2008 Report to the Nation is a report issued by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners that discusses who commits fraud and the most common ways that they do it. Fraudsters are generally 40 to 60 year old executives or accountants. The study showed that as incomes and education levels increased the instances of fraud decreased, but the dollar value increased. Additionally, in a majority of the fraud cases there was only one person involved in the scheme and it was their first offense.

Common indicators of fraud are employees living beyond their means or experiencing financial difficulties.

Take a look around your office, do you see anybody that fit this description? Keep your ears and eyes open and establish a whistleblower policy providing procedures of investigation and protection.