Safety procedures to protect businesses against scams

Sadly businesses are at risk of fraud and scams from their own employees. Therefore it is important to vet employees to ensure they don't have any unsavoury pasts. This will go some way to reduce the risk of scams taking place in your organisation.

Take the following steps to protect your business from fraud schemes:

1. Take references and check them out for new employees ensuring the right identity is verified.
2. Have regular staff one-to-one time and chat frequently to be able to spot financial pressures or drug/alcohol problems. These pressures push employees into looking for ways out and when they know the systems at work instigating a fraud scheme seems like a viable option.
3. Have regular checks carried out and spot checks for all staff but more frequently for staff working in the accounting and purchasing departments and in supply chain. These departments are where scams are most likely to happen and therefore where the business is most vulnerable.

References are deemed even more important because the Data Protection Act means it isn't possible for the police to provide information on the criminal background of individuals. Therefore if you are running a business it is important to get this information through the employees and look to stop any "high risk" employees capable of carrying out a scam.

Having security processes in your business is a must as it deters criminals who look to join organisations and take advantage of their position to engage in criminal activities. You should do the following:

1. Regularly review stock control systems and financial systems.
2. Carry our random audits.
3. Have a code of practice for staff and ensure they are treated fairly so they don't resent the organisation.
4. Ensure systems are secure
5. Have biannual reviews of fraud and scam prevention measures
6. Ensure there is a separation of responsibilities for staff involved in sensitive and financial work. This will stop one member of staff from being able to commit fraud.

As we continually increase the amount of business and communication we conduct online it is important to keep up to date with the risks and fraud that can affect the business. To help protect your business learn about the latest scams at then next marcus evans scam conference.