Employment fraud trend on the increase

FALSE employment histories, non-existing employers and forged payslips are among the increasing fraud trends in job applications recorded in 2017/18.

This according to statistics compiled by the South African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) based on listed cases on its database.

‘Employment fraud remains rife with cases of false employment histories increasing by 16%, forged payslips reaching 17% and non-existing employers increasing by 16%,’ SAFPS said in a statement.

The number of cases where candidates attempted to get away with providing false qualifications declined by 5%, however.

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There was a 47% increase in fraudsters using a combination of fraudulent documentation.

In general terms, cases of impersonation – fraudsters using legitimate information of consumers – has increased by a whopping 101% in 2018.

‘This increase runs parallel to the escalating rate in the previous period (2016/2017), which showed an increase of 89%.’

SAFPS Executive Director, Manie van Schalkwyk, said these trends impact not only on the cost of doing business, but also on the cost of daily living.

‘People can end up being held liable for debts they did not incur or being defrauded of their hard-earned income,’ Van Schalkwyk said.

He said criminals have become more streetwise, more tech savvy and sophisticated than ever before.

‘Some fraud activities are affecting multiple sectors and a cross section of transactions, both for business and the consumer.

‘Potential victims are not just retailers but all members of the public, small businesses, large corporates and especially banks.

‘Not only is every business entity at risk of fraud, so too is every active consumer,’ he said.

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