Tag: fraud

Fraud experts brought in over student loan allegations | BBC News

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The education secretary has asked counter-fraud experts to lead an investigation into reports millions of pounds in student loans are being claimed by people with no intent to study.

It follows a report in the Sunday Times which says it found evidence of some individuals enrolling on degree courses at small colleges just to access loans, with no intention of paying them back.

Bridget Phillipson has called in the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) to coordinate the government’s response to the allegations and to support investigations already under way.

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IRS Warns Taxpayers to Choose Tax Preparers Carefully to Avoid Fraud and Identity Theft | Small Biz Trends

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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is urging taxpayers to exercise caution when selecting tax professionals, warning that while most preparers are reputable, some engage in fraud, identity theft, and other scams. The agency emphasizes that taxpayers remain legally responsible for their tax returns, even if prepared by someone else.

IRS Resources for Selecting a Tax Professional

To help taxpayers make informed choices, the IRS offers several tools, including:

  • The Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications, which lists preparers who meet high professional standards.
  • A dedicated page on IRS.gov with guidance on choosing a reputable preparer, avoiding unethical ones, and understanding different preparer qualifications

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Oh No You Didn’t! 3 Tips for Employee Fraud Prevention | Business.com

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As a small business owner, you might be well-versed in fraud prevention. However, many employers fail to realize that fraud can happen anywhere, by anyone – including your own workers.

No matter how close your team might be, or how careful you are when recruiting, you should always be prepared for fraud by employees. Here are three employee fraud prevention tips for employers.

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Wal-Mart Mexico Bribe Inquiry Silenced | NYTimes.com

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Wal-Mart dispatched investigators to Mexico City, and within days they unearthed evidence of widespread bribery. They found a paper trail of hundreds of suspect payments totaling more than $24 million. They also found documents showing that Wal-Mart de Mexico’s top executives not only knew about the payments, but had taken steps to conceal them from Wal-Mart’s headquarters in Bentonville, Ark. In a confidential report to his superiors, Wal-Mart’s lead investigator, a former F.B.I. special agent, summed up their initial findings this way: “There is reasonable suspicion to believe that Mexican and USA laws have been violated.”

The lead investigator recommended that Wal-Mart expand the investigation.

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