Charities and the risk of Fraud
The risk of fraud is not unique to charities, but the nature of the relationship which charities have with the public make the prevention and detection of fraud of particular importance. Both individual charities and the sector as a whole, will suffer from the reality and the perception of any fraud which damages public confidence.
It is the trustees of the charities who are primarily responsible for the prevention and detection of fraud in relation to their charity, whether they are a small voluntary organisation or a large national employer. However as the regulator, OSCR has a critical role to play in the prevention and targeting of action in relation to fraud.
We are therefore publishing a dedicated Anti Fraud Strategy (Anti Fraud Strategy) which sets out our approach to combating fraud. We aim to balance charities’ own responsibilities with our role as regulator. We aim to focus on prevention through education and intelligence without ignoring the importance of swift and appropriate intervention where necessary.
The Strategy is published on our website, and we hope you will draw it to the attention of your own members, clients and key stakeholders. I hope too we will have the opportunity to discuss the Strategy and how this complements your own approach very shortly. Meanwhile if you would like any information or if there are any areas of particular common interest, I hope you will contact me at your earliest convenience.
OSCR
