Fraud is continuing to increase this year, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new survey by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
The report found that 79 percent of anti-fraud professionals have seen an increase in the overall level of fraud as of November, compared to 77 percent in August and 68 percent in May. Thirty-eight percent of the respondents said in November the increase has been significant, compared to 34 percent in August and 25 percent in May.
Stan Smith is founder and CEO of Gradient AI, a provider of customized artificial intelligence solutions for the insurance industry. The company's full-cycle management platforms help improve loss ratios and profitability by predicting underwriting and claims risks with heightened accuracy and reduce quote turnaround times and claim expenses through intelligent automation.
With nearly 30 years of experience growing AI and technology organizations, Stan's leadership has resulted in proven AI solutions that yield solid financial performance for Gradient AI's customer portfolio, as well as improved treatment and outcomes for individuals.
Cory McNeley is a managing director at UHY and leader of the technology innovation service line, which provides digital strategy, technology sourcing, technology automation, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence and machine learning advisory services to strengthen and transform the office of the chief financial officer. Drawing from over 20 years of experience, his expertise spans international operations, manufacturing, defense and aerospace, retail, government and service sectors.
Jan Lynn Owen last served as the first commissioner of the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, or DFPI, from 2013 to 2019. Prior to that, she held the commissioner role in California for over 15 years at the Department of Corporations, Department of Financial Institutions and the Department of Business Oversight.
Cyber fraud, payment fraud (such as schemes with debit and credit cards) and identity theft are the three top fraud schemes seeing increases, according to anti-fraud professionals.
The largest increase in observed fraud was in financial statement fraud, with 7 percent more anti-fraud professionals reported seeing financial statement fraud in November, compared to August. That could be because as companies continue to see their profits drop, they feel more pressure to cook the books.
The survey also found 77 percent of anti-fraud professionals report that investigating and preventing fraud is more challenging now, while 71 percent said detecting fraud is more challenging as a result of the pandemic.
ACFE members anticipate the fraud trend will continue, even as vaccines have begun rolling out this week in the U.S. Ninety percent of the survey respondents expect a further increase in the level of fraud over the next 12 months, with 44 percent predicting the change is likely to be significant.
Nearly half (48 percent) of the organizations polled expect to increase their investments in anti-fraud technology, and 38 percent intend to raise the use of fraud-related consultants or other external resources. Budgets for anti-fraud training and professional development are experiencing a similar increase (according to 37 percent of the organizations polled), but nearly one-quarter (24 percent) anticipate a decrease in this area. The budget component most likely to see decreases is travel for anti-fraud staff, which shouldn’t be surprising given the plunging levels of air travel in general over this past year, with 38 percent of the survey respondents expecting a reduction in funds for travel in the year ahead.
