Fraud

Fraud is defined as a deliberate deception practiced so as to secure unfair or unlawful gain. This intentional misstatement or omission of information is detrimental to the interest of the organization. Fraud may include embezzlement or the falsification of records which results in personal enrichment through the misuse of the organization's resources or assets.

Four elements that are common in most instances of fraud:

• loss of the organization's assets, revenue, or reserves
• violates the organization's Code of Conduct
• results in the direct or indirect benefit to the individual(s)
• is clandestine

Prevention and detection of fraud is the responsibility of everyone. Some common examples of fraud include the following:

• falsifying salary, employment, or dependent information
• personal purchases on the organization's corporate accounts
• theft of cash or credit cards
• theft of personal information
• misrepresentation of financial information on admission, financial aid, or grant applications
• failure to report conflicts of interest or conflicts of commitment
• unauthorized acceptance of funds

What to do if you suspect fraud:

• Contact your unit / department manager (the manager is to take no action before consulting with the Internal Audit Department).
• If the suspected fraud is financial in nature, contact the Internal Audit Department at 909-558-5630.
• If the suspected fraud is not financial in nature, use the Compliance Reporting Hotline at 800-249-9953.