INDUSTRY FOCUS
Internal fraud one of the biggest threats to charity sector
Over two thirds of charities (69 per cent) think fraud is a major risk to the charity sector and internal fraud is recognised as one of the biggest threats, according to a survey released by The Charity Commission.
Yet although charities appear to be more aware that they can be at risk of fraud like any other organisation, the findings suggest that at least some charities are taking the view that it won’t happen to them, because they are not consistently putting basic checks and balances in place.
The survey also found that a third (34 per cent) think their organisation is not vulnerable to any of the most common types of charity fraud while over half (53 per cent) of those affected by fraud in the past two years knew the perpetrator.
A total of 85 per cent of charities think they are doing everything they can to prevent fraud, but almost half don’t have any good practice protections in place.
The findings were gone through by Commission chief executive Helen Stephenson at a launch event at Chartered Accountants’ Hall at Moorgate in central London, arranged by the Fraud Advisory Panel, itself a charity.
She said charities have a responsibility to act and warned that they will fall victim to fraud, unless they protect themselves.
Charities who have not knowingly experienced fraud are potentially more susceptible to fraud.
“Finding fraud is the first step to fighting fraud,” she said.
The event was chaired by BBC One Show presenter Kevin Duala, who’s revealed scammers preying on charities and the goodwill of people donating and seeking aid in ‘Britain’s Secret Charity Cheats’.
