This week is International Fraud Awareness Week. Running from Sunday 17 until Saturday 23 November, the Council is joining hundreds of other organisations in the global effort to minimise the impact of fraud by promoting anti-fraud awareness.
Watch the video (right) to find out more about Fraud Awareness Week and for more information visit the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners website: International Fraud Awareness Week (fraudweek.com)
Fraud in the public sector costs the taxpayers billions of pounds each year and losses on this scale can have a huge impact on the provision of public services. Frauds committed against the Council can include procurement and contract fraud, blue badge fraud, council tax fraud, business rate fraud, and housing tenancy fraud.
The Corporate Fraud Team supports International Fraud Awareness Week and next week, the team will be increasing its online presence, using social media to promote fraud awareness, and to raise awareness of the team’s remit and the impact of fraud on the council.
The Corporate Fraud Team receives hundreds of allegations of fraud every year.
The Team carries out investigations to prevent and detect fraud whether it is by employees, elected members, partner organisations, suppliers or residents. It then takes any enforcement action that is necessary which may include financial recovery, recovery of tenancies, withdrawal of services, disciplinary action (if the fraud is perpetrated by an employee), civil court action or criminal prosecution.
How we can all remain vigilant against cyber crime
Cyber-crime is the largest form of reported crime in the UK with one in ten people a victim of fraud or online offences. The field is continually evolving with cyber criminals finding new ways to attack and every 4.6 seconds a new specimen emerges.
International Fraud Awareness Week (12-18 November 2023) is a global effort to minimise the impact of fraud by promoting fraud awareness and education. International Fraud Awareness Week (fraudweek.com)
Anyone wishing to report a suspected fraud should contact the Corporate Fraud Team using the details below. Calls are not recorded and reporters can remain anonymous,
- Email corporatefraud@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
- Call 01294 324228
- Write to: Corporate Fraud Team, North Ayrshire Council Headquarters, Cunninghame House, Friars Croft, Irvine, KA12 8EE
You can also follow the team on:
X (formerly Twitter): @NAC_CorpFraud
Facebook: @FraudTeamAtNorthAndEastAyrshireCouncils
What steps should I take?
There are a few simple actions you can take to help protect North Ayrshire systems against fraud:
- Be extra cautious with emails you receive which are unexpected or seem suspicious. If in doubt, don’t click on any links or open any attachments.
- Fully restart your computer daily or at least once a week to ensure it has all the latest software updates and anti-virus protection.
- Use a passphrase which meets the new policy and best practice to protect your North Ayrshire user accounts.
- Report any strange behaviour you notice on your computer or with your files immediately. If you notice anything suspicious, please contact the IT Service Desk immediately on 01294 324 290 and report this to your line manager.
The threat is current and ongoing. You can read the Council’s ICT and Cyber Security Policy on Connects.
Have you completed the Council’s Cyber Security training?
All colleagues should now have completed the iLearn Cyber Security online training module 2024 – if you haven’t done so, please schedule the time to complete the course on iLearn. There is a forgotten password option if you haven’t logged in for a while. If you have any problems logging in please contact support@learningpool.com who will be able to help. To book onto any of the other learning courses, speak to your line manager in the first instance.
The iLearn training module is a really useful and necessary mandatory learning module for all employees. It takes no longer than twenty minutes to complete and provides an informative introduction to cyber security risks, responsibilities and best practices. There’s also guidance so you can be aware of the Council’s policies and guidelines and how to identify and report a security incident.
Remember, employees should be extremely cautious of clicking, opening or downloading any emails from unknown email senders. Never click on a link in an email that comes to you from people unknown or that seems suspicious in some other way. If in doubt, report it straight through to our Cyber Security team. You can do this via email at: CyberSecurityTeam@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Full details of the Council’s ICT and Cyber Security guidance can be found on Connects.