Cifas responds to the Public Accounts Committee’s ‘Fraud and Error’ report 

Responding to the Public Accounts Committee's 'Fraud and Error' report, Cifas CEO Mike Haley, said: ‘We welcome the findings of the Public Accounts Committee’s inquiry into fraud and error during the pandemic. The report highlights the importance of timely industry-standard checks and data sharing to prevent fraudulent abuse of cross-government schemes and represents an opportunity to address this drain on the public purse.

'Members of Cifas, who are drawn from a wide range of sectors, collectively prevent over a billion pounds of fraudulent conduct each year through the sharing of data and intelligence with each other. During the pandemic multiple Local Authorities benefited from our data when screening applicants for Covid-19 grants demonstrating that there is clear value in sharing data between the public and private sector. We hope that in future the Government will mandate the consistent use of industry-standard counter fraud checks and fraud data sets across all departments.’

‘We would welcome discussions with the Cabinet Office and other Government departments to help address the gaps in real time data sharing that are highlighted within the report, to prevent fraud and recover stolen funds across both Covid-19 schemes and wider government services.’

Notes to editors

About Cifas

Cifas is the UK’s fraud prevention service. We lead the fight against fraud by sharing data, intelligence and learning. The organisations that collaborate with us are drawn from all sectors, operating in both the public and private sectors working together to stop fraud. A full list of our members can be found on our website.

Organisations that work with Cifas, contribute to and benefit from the UK’s largest databases of fraud risk data and intelligence. We are committed to the principle of collaboration, which connects and drives our community, and enables the sharing of:

Data
We enable the secure sharing of high quality, trusted data to fight fraud. Our databases are the most comprehensive and diverse sources of fraud risk data in the UK.

Intelligence
We provide research and dynamic intelligence that influences the threat picture and strengthens the response against fraud.

Learning
We are a leading provider of accredited education and trusted training.

For more information

Please contact:

Matt Pearson
Press & Public Relations Manager
matthew.pearson@cifas.org.uk / 0203 004 3644

Contact us at press@cifas.org.uk