Young Staff Commit Most Fraud

A new report has revealed that most instances of staff fraud are committed by individuals under the age of 21.

CIFAS – the UK’s Fraud Prevention Service – has released the information in its ‘Staff Fraudscape’ report, which analyses insider fraud.

Insider Fraud Trends

The report also found a 63% increase in cases of staff stealing or disclosing personal data in 2010 compared to 2009. While 29% of staff fraudsters were aged under 21, just 3% were aged between 41 and 50, and none were aged over 50. It was mostly more established members of staff committing the fraud – the average duration of employment before fraud was discovered was five and a half years in 2010.

It is believed that efforts to promote awareness of fraud among employees resulted in a 12% increase in cases being reported by staff in 2010, compared with 2009.

Read some tips on how to protect your business from fraud and how anyone can spot employee fraud.

Read more about the latest CIFAS Staff Fraudscape report.

To report a fraud, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use thier online fraud reporting tool.

2012 Tickets Ballot Opens - Fraud Warning

The 2012 ticket ballot opens today, 15th March 2011. The below information relates to the fraud prevention advice that has been agreed for anyone thinking of purchasing Olympic tickets.

The advice is very simple, do not use unauthorised websites. It is very important to get this message out to everyone wishing to purchase tickets. As a lot of our blog visitors are from overseas we thought we’d post this information as it is widely agreed in fraud prevention circles that by attempting to take away the market place from the scammers it reduces to opportunity for exploitation and fraud.

The Metropolitan Police's Operation Podium urges you to follow this advice to protect you, your personal details, family and friends from being exploited by criminals.

If you’re buying a ticket for the Games:

• The 2012 ticket ballot opens today (15th March 2011). You have until 26 April to apply for tickets through LOCOG as it is not first come first served
• Only apply for a ticket online at www.tickets.london2012.com. This is London 2012’s official site. You can get a paper application from any Lloyds TSB branch, or from any public library in Northern Ireland
• If you get a ticket for an event you can’t attend, you can return your ticket to get a refund through the London 2012 official ticket exchange. Your ticket will then be officially resold
• Don’t buy a ticket from an unauthorised website or tout. You risk being scammed, and not getting the ticket you wanted and paid for
• There are only three official providers for Games Breaks and Hospitality Packages in the UK - these are:

• Thomas Cook - http://www.thomascooklondon2012.com
• Prestige Travel - http://www.prestigeticketing.london2012.com/
• Jet Set Travel - http://www.jetsetsports.com/
• Other websites or companies will not be authorised to sell you a ticket
  as part of a package.

Always check the terms and conditions to see exactly what you are being sold; If you find tickets for sale before the 15th March 2011 or available from any unauthorised source at anytime, don’t buy them. They are not genuine. Report it to http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/ or London 2012 via brandprotection@london2012.com or your local police force.

Good Luck and safe buying.

19,000 scam emails in four days

More than 19,000 scam emails have poured into the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) since Action Fraud set up a dedicated email address for people targeted online by fraudsters.

For years, criminals have been sending letters telling recipients they have won the lottery, are in line for a massive inheritance or have won a competition, and that to claim the prize they only need pay an administration fee.

Today the objective remains the same, but electronic mail is now the favoured vehicle to distribute the tens of thousands of scam emails that seek to persuade people to pay an advanced fee for a sum of money they will never see.

Read about how you can forward on your scam emails to Action Fraud.