International Fraud Awareness Week is here!

I know, I know… Fraud Week is not quite as exciting as Shark Week.  It doesn’t appeal to your taste buds like Restaurant Week. Nor does it have the quirky feel of Brain Awareness Week (nope… I’m not making that one up!!).

Nevertheless, Fraud Week is an important event – one that is worthy of your attention as a leader in government.  Why, you ask?

Fraud Week goes well beyond bringing attention to the fraudulent behaviors we see in our society.  After all, who isn’t at least vaguely familiar with tax fraud?  With healthcare fraud?  With benefits fraud?

I propose that International Fraud Awareness Week serves three essential purposes for government leaders:

1. IFAW promotes the ideals of integrity and ethical behavior in all of our daily activities.
2. Fraud Week exposes those people and organizations who take advantage of others by committing any number of fraudulent acts.
3. IFAW recognizes the men and women -- especially those in government -- who demonstrate their belief in honor and personal integrity by actively working to promote ethical behavior and to hold accountable those who choose to act unethically.

Perhaps now you understand why Fraud Week is worthy of your time and attention.

This week, I’d like to pay particular attention to some of the women and men who think strategically about fraud in government.  They have made great contributions to the cause of fraud prevention.  And, they have some very innovative, practical ideas for you to ponder.

Courtney Kay-Decker leads the Iowa Department of Revenue.  Read the story of how her agency is stopping tax fraud while maintaining excellent taxpayer service.

Jerome Bryssinck is a renown fraud leader who focuses on government and healthcare.  Take a few minutes to read his thoughts on how government leaders can combat customs fraud using big data and analytics.

To recognize this week's National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA) Annual Training Conference, John Stultz writes about how state government leaders can learn from recent large-scale fraud takedowns in Medicare and Medicaid programs. (If you're at NHCAA, go visit SAS at booth 213.)

We've got more ideas and articles that we'll publish throughout the week of November 14.  Stay tuned for even more great thinkers and great ideas!!