Tackling fraud in business in London and throughout the UK, gaining recompense for corporate victims
Fraud in the UK is dramatically increasing. According to a British Chambers of Commerce survey, 58% of business have experienced at least one incidence of crime in the last 12 months
Overall, 15% of businesses have experienced just one instance of crime in the last 12 months, 28% between two and five incidents, 7% between six and ten incidents and 5% eleven or more. Of those that have experienced crimes in the last 12 months, 28% chose not to report the incidents to the police. (see summary of key points)
The majority suggest that they might not report a crime if there were no or only a relatively small loss or damage to their premises or property. 36% claim they might not report it because of a lack of confidence in any police response and 29% feel the time taken to report such an instance could be too time consuming
The biggest fraud theft comes from within businesses. Coupled with an estimated cost to industry of £10bn as a result of the Compensation Culture it is small wonder businesses feel constantly under threat. 73% believe that business crime results in real costs to their business. While 16% suggest this cost is under £1k, 28% say it is between £1k and £5k and 29% say it is higher. On average, the estimated annual cost to business is £12,200
69% claim business crime has impacted upon their business. 58% claim it has wasted staff time, 32% that it has disrupted trading, 23% that it has affected staff morale and 18% that it has raised insurance costs. 13% feel they have lost business as a result of business crime, 11% believe their company image has been damaged and 9% have had to make changes to their building layout and design
Turning a "blind eye" to internal activity - such as bribery - engenders a culture that can allow a business to fall victim to fraud and, potentially, to be seen as a fraudster - a matter that can be a PR disaster and may damage a business dramatically. The Fraud Act 2006 states that fraud can be committed in one of three ways
Under the Act, there are various "new" offences, covering:
In addition, a Director, Manager or Company Secretary may be held personally liable where it can be proved that a fraud committed by a company was committed with their consent
Contact us in the first instance either by telephone on 01483 200999 or email to info@private-detectives.co.uk. All matters are handled sensitively, confidentially and discreetly
With the shortcomings in criminal investigation of fraud in the UK, we specialise in Criminal Fraud Investigation at home and work
Specialist services you simply won't find elsewhere - from criminal work to fingerprinting and computer forensic investigation
Experts in all aspects of Corporate Investigation in SME's, PLCS, small business and all sizes of business in the UK and Europe
