Smaller firms remain exposed to fraud
KPMG report claims two thirds of UK SMEs still do not have a dedicated anti-fraud policy
SMEs are leaving their businesses exposed to the effects of fraud by failing to proactively protect against it, despite occurrences continuing to rise year-over-year, according to a survey by KPMG.
Two thirds of businesses with a turnover of between £5m and £500m do not have a dedicated anti-fraud policy, which 27 and 17 per cent of respondents blamed on a lack on management time and skilled resources respectively, in the survey of 100 businesses.
Hitesh Patel, director of fraud investigations at KPMG, said SMEs should consider fraud in its widest context.
"The IT market isn't particularly susceptible to fraud, but the channel can be open to it because of the make-up of the sales network. However, this can be combated by putting in place better skills, tools and methodology, such as tighter contracts," he said.
Despite the value of major UK fraud cases rising to £250m during the first six months of this year, up from £98m at the same period last year (CRN 25 July), 67 per cent of respondents did not believe fraud was on the increase.
Although 76 per cent claimed that managing fraud risks was an important issue for them, KPMG said that many were not able to demonstrate any reactive measures designed to prevent or react to occurrences of fraud.
Patel added that less stringent regulations and the internal observation levels of SME owners were also somewhat to blame for such businesses failing to have developed sufficiently effective systems and controls to prevent fraud.
One quarter of respondents cited theft as their fastest growing problem. 15 per cent also identified expenses fiddling and five per cent highlighted accounting manipulations and fake invoice processing as mounting threats.
Eddie Pacey, director of credit at Bell Microproducts Europe, said resellers often mistakenly believe they don't to appear on fraudsters' radars.
"Large enterprises have already implemented anti-fraud measures resulting in fraudsters shifting their focus onto smaller firms. Protection is an application and resource issue and resellers should also look at how to protect the weakest links in their business," he said.