Fraudandhowtospotit-tenstepguide

Fraud can come from outside a business, such as scams and false invoicing, or from within, through manipulated records or misused authority. Warning signs often include unexplained discrepancies, reluctance to take holidays, unusually close supplier relationships, or transactions that bypass normal approval processes. Being alert to these patterns is often the first line of defence.

Simple safeguards make a real difference: separating duties so no one person controls a transaction from start to finish, regularly reconciling accounts, restricting access to financial systems, and encouraging a culture where concerns can be raised. Regular review of controls, rather than a one-off check, is what keeps a business protected as it grows and changes.