Notice Fraud: Spring 2023

April 28, 2023

During 2023, fraudsters have been looking to take advantage of us. Here’s what to watch out for:

Changes to supplier payment mandates:

Organisations can use technological solutions to block access to suspicious web domains and email addresses and use payee name checks (where the bank making the payment makes sure the name on the bank account matches what is expected), but we also rely on NHS staff being alert to the types of scam attempts we see.

Attempts often make use of ‘lookalike’ email addresses and domain names which, at first glance, appear to be from the genuine sender but have very subtle differences and are controlled by fraudsters.  These differences include using upper case i’s to look like lower case l’s, or merging two letters to make them appear like the correct address, such as using c and l (cl) to look like a d.  Another easily overlooked change is to add an ‘s’ to make the address plural.

Organisations are reminded to be vigilant, escalate all suspicious requests and challenge all payments where the bank account have been changed recently, or where the registered bank account differs to the Company’s registered country.

Attempts against payroll:

Attempts to change colleague bank account details have also increased this year.  Following the additional technological security implemented on Self-Service ESR, we are now seeing attempts being made which side steps that system.  Fraudsters are concentrating their attempts against those who cannot easily use the system, for example purporting to be a member of staff on maternity leave with no access, or a non-executive who received payment outside the normal systems.  These attempts often originate from non-NHS email addresses, provide excuses why the normal systems cannot be used, and have a sense of urgency.

Click here to see the full Notice Fraud Spring 2023 information sheet in full.

Don’t forget – all suspicions of fraud should be reported to the Local Counter Fraud Specialist Sophie Coster (Tel: 07436 268747), Chief Finance Officer, Dinah McLannahan; or NHSCFA by calling 0800 028 40 60.