Florida State University is joining the global effort to minimize the impact of fraud by promoting anti-fraud awareness and education through its participation in International Fraud Awareness Week, which takes place Nov. 15-21.
Fraud Week was established by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) in 2000 as a dedicated time to raise awareness about fraud.
“Fraud can occur even when good internal control policies and procedures are in place,” said Sam McCall, FSU’s chief audit officer. “Therefore, it is everyone’s responsibility to report actions that do not appear appropriate. By identifying and reporting suspected wrongdoing when first noticed, we protect the university’s reputation, reduce bad publicity, maintain public trust and demonstrate good stewardship of monies received and disbursed by the university.”
FSU policy states that fraud “generally involves a willful or deliberate act or omission with the intent of obtaining an unauthorized benefit, services, property or something of value by deception, misrepresentation or other unethical or unlawful means.”
McCall urges that if an employee becomes aware of or suspects fraud, they should report it immediately to their supervisor, the Office of Inspector General Services, or if criminal, the FSU Police Department.
The Office of Inspector General Services can be reached at (850) 644-6031 or via the Complaint Intake Form. The FSUPD can be reached at (850) 644-1234.
The Office of Inspector General Services provides training through the Internal Controls and Reducing the Risk of Fraud class. Check class availability and registration.
For more information on Fraud Week, visit https://igs.fsu.edu/international-fraud-awareness.