What to do if I suspect fraud
Fraud and Corruption
What should you do if you suspect malpractice such as fraud or corruption?
How should you react if you suspect these things in the workplace?
How will the Public Interest Disclosure Act protect you if you do?
This will help you answer these questions and other issues that you might be confronted with if you suspect malpractice within the Authority.
Why should you read this information?
Malpractice including fraud and corruption within the public sector costs the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds each year. Nationally, detected cases are on the increase and no public sector organisation is likely to be immune from attempts to defraud.
Bedfordshire County Council is committed to promoting an anti fraud culture within the community, and will protect staff who raise concerns in good faith.
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 will protect you from any sanctions as long as you meet the rules set out in the Act. The Council has recently updated its Whistle Blowing Policy in compliance with the legislation.
Acting upon your suspicions
The do’s and don’ts
If you suspect malpractice within the workplace, there are a few simple guidelines that should be followed:
Do:
Make an immediate note of your concerns.
Note all relevant details, such as what you saw or was said in telephone or other conversations, the date, time and the names of any parties involved.
Convey your suspicions to someone with the appropriate authority and experience.
This is usually your line manager or Internal Audit and Risk Management. Alternatively, you might contact the Chief Executive, the Monitoring Officer, the Director of Finance, or one of the other officers listed elsewhere on this page.
Deal with the matter promptly, if you feel your concerns are warranted.
Any delay may cause your organisation to suffer further financial loss.
Don’t:
Do nothing.
Be afraid of raising your concerns.
You must not suffer any sanction from your employer as a result of voicing a reasonably held suspicion.
Approach or accuse individuals directly.
Try to investigate the matter yourself.
There are special rules surrounding the gathering of evidence for use in criminal and other cases. Any attempt to gather evidence by people who are unfamiliar with these rules may destroy the case. Internal Audit staff are trained in handling investigations in the proper manner.
Convey your suspicions to anyone other than those with the proper authority.
The Act has rules for making a protected disclosure
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You must disclose the information in good faith
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You must believe it to be substantially true
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You must not act maliciously or make false allegations
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You must not seek any personal gain.
Who can you tell?
The Authority has set up internal procedures for you to use. These will tell you who to talk to and you are strongly advised to follow them. The contacts below can provide details.
Need further advice?
If you need further advice, you can contact the following people within the Authority at County Hall (01234 – 363222)
Contact details:
Cajetan Chukwulozie
Assistant Director, Internal Audit and Risk Management
Tel: (01234) 228496 (direct)
Email: cajetan.chukwulozie@bedscc.gov.uk|
Kathy Riches
Investigations Manager
Tel: (01234) 228532 (direct)
Email: kathy.riches@bedscc.gov.uk|
Wendy Bartle
Senior Investigations Officer
Tel: (01234) 228558 (direct)
Email: wendy.bartle@bedscc.gov.uk|
Freephone Fraud Hotline 0800 5878277
Email: tellsusaboutfraud@bedscc.gov.uk|
Tasnim Shawkat
Assistant Director
Corporate Governance (Monitoring Officer)
Tel: (01234) 276082 (direct)
Email: tasnim.shawkat@bedscc.gov.uk|
John Satterthwaite
Head of Human Resources
Tel: (01234) 228010 (direct)
Email: john.satterthwaite@bedscc,gov.uk
Martin Reeves
Interim Chief Executive
Tel: (01234) 228001 (direct)
Email: martin.reeves@bedscc.gov.uk
|Peter Lewis
Director of Finance
Tel: (01234) 276676 (direct)
Email: peter.lewis@bedscc.gov.uk|
Or alternatively
Audit Commission Fraud Hotline 0845 0533646
Public Concern at work 020 7404 6609