Fraud Awareness Month

November 16, 2020

Throughout Fraud Awareness Month we will be highlighting the most reported frauds across the NHS, providing some guidance on preventing these and identifying when you should report your concerns.

Identity theft/fraud:

Throughout Fraud Awareness Month we will be highlighting the most reported frauds across the NHS, providing some guidance on preventing these and identifying when you should report your concerns.

Identity theft happens when fraudsters access enough information about someone’s identity (such as their name, date of birth, current or previous addresses, place of work etc) to impersonate them.

Identity fraud is when the details obtained are used to commit fraud, by: opening bank accounts, obtaining credit, taking over accounts, impersonating you at work to purport to authorise transactions.

Preventing Identity Theft

Any information used to identify your or your family, or that is used to answer any of your security questions should be closely guarded.

• Do not give out information over the phone.
• Never divulge your PIN or passwords.
• Never click on links on any suspicious emails or text messages.
• Do not write your personal information on social media.
• Ensure any sensitive paperwork is shredded and old phones or computers are properly disposed of when no longer required.
• Secure any online accounts with strong passwords that cannot be guessed.

If you receive any unusual payment or change of bank detail requests from colleagues, managers or suppliers, you must verify this with a known contact, using a previously known telephone number. Fraudsters may take over email accounts or mask the sender’s email address. Any person making a genuine request will allow security checks to take place.

Anything you believe could constitute fraud and should be reported to your Local Counter Fraud Specialist (LCFS). If you require any further information regarding fraud or bribery within the NHS, please contact the organisation’s LCFS.