Fraud

All Cases of charity fraud should be referred to the relevant regulator in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. You could also contact your local police station or Trading Standards.

The Charity Times have published a couple of articles detailing fraud in the third sector. The first - Keeping fraudsters at bay – discusses fraud and fraud prevention from the dishonest employee aspect. The second - In the firing line – describes the types of fraud found in the third sector, how to prevent fraud and what to do when you suspect you are a victim of fraud.

The Fraud Reduction website has a Practical Steps for Businesses to Reduce and Detect Fraud page which details all the forms of fraud and how to prevent them.

The Charity Finance Directors Group has highlighted fraud as a main concern of the recession. Their website gives links to The Charity Commission's publication, CC8: Internal Financial Controls for Charities. The Charity Commission maintains a register of fraudulent fundraising schemes from West Africa. An Accountancy Age publication is another link they recommend - Fraud: the occupational hazards as well as The Auditing Practices Board who has issued a Bulletin on going concern issues during the current economic conditions.

They also advise charities to go to The Fraud Advisory Panel.
The panel have released a couple of reports for charities detailing the vulnerabilities charities face from fraud. We have given direct links to the relevant reports below:

Fraud in the Charitable Sector Carol Goldstone Associates, February 2009
This report outlines the findings of research into the nature and extent of fraud in the charitable sector in England and Wales

Breach of Trust-An investigation into the incidence, origins and impact of fraud in the charitable sector Fraud Advisory Panel, February 2009
This report summarises the findings of research into the incidence, origins and impact of fraud in the charitable sector.

Other guides produced by the FAP that may be of help are Fraud in a recession - the risk to smaller businesses and Corporate Identity Fraud.