Getting employees to join the fight against fraud

Description

Abstract: U.S. businesses lose millions of dollars to white-collar criminals every year. The manufacturing sector is especially vulnerable to fraud schemes involving billing, corruption and noncash assets, such as theft of inventory and equipment. Research suggests that businesses that provide a convenient and confidential way for employees to report unethical behavior are more likely to unearth wrongdoing sooner and suffer smaller losses than those without established “whistleblower” policies. This article recommends ways to make reporting hotlines as effective as possible. A sidebar outlines the benefits of using an outside forensic accounting specialist when fraud strikes.