How does the Staff Fraud Database work?

CIFAS helps the responsible employer to address the problem of employing fraudsters and minimising the risks that this would pose to any organisation, through a data sharing scheme called the Staff Fraud Database.

Participating organisations would access the database for the purposes of  filing data about their confirmed staff fraud cases and double checking potential employees against records of proven staff fraud cases filed by other CIFAS Staff Fraud Members.

In order for a record to be put onto the Staff Fraud Database, a 'standard of proof' is required. This means that participating organisations must file records that are: Composed of factual and accurate information only.

The Staff Fraud Database is not limited to just your permanent staff. It can also be used to vet contractors and agency workers – offering additional protection for your organisation in these high-risk areas.

Please click here to download a copy of the CIFAS Staff Fraud Brochure.

Validation

The Staff Fraud Database has been developed and approved by a number of leading organisations and authorities.

The Information Commissioner's Office was consulted throughout the development of the database, while the Financial Services Authority, Confederation of British Industry, Trades Union Congress and the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development have all welcomed the establishment of the Staff Fraud Database.

The Financial Services Authority recently published a report on Mortgage fraud against Lenders: A thematic review of lenders' systems and controls to detect and prevent mortgage fraud.  This reports states that it is recommended good practice when a "firm has considered what enhanced vetting methods should be applied to different roles (e.g…. CIFAS Staff Fraud Database).  To download a free copy of the report, please use the link.

The Financial Service Authority have also published reports on Data Security in the Financial Services: Firms’ controls to prevent data loss by their employees and third party suppliers (which was welcomed by the Information Commissioner, highlighted the use of the Staff Fraud Database as good practice) and Anti-bribery and corruption in commercial insurance broking: Reducing the risk of illicit payments and inducements to third parties (highlighting the use of the Staff Fraud Database as good practice for enhanced vetting of staff). To download free copies of the reports, please use the links.

The National Fraud Authority’s National Fraud Strategy has stated that “sharing data within a framework that safeguards people’s privacy is critical to identifying and preventing fraud” and described the Staff Fraud Database as a success in this area. To download a copy of the National Fraud Strategy, please click here. 

Please use the link to download a free copy of Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development & CIFAS guide to Tackling Staff Fraud and Dishonesty: Managing and Mitigating the Risks – Guidelines for Employers, HR and Line Managers.

< Click here to return to Staff Fraud Membership.