Embezzlement Report: Why Good Employees Go Bad
Embezzlement is not just a problem for large enterprises – businesses with fewer than 150 employees were 10 times more likely to be victimized by fraud than those with 250-500 employees, according to the 2016 Hiscox Embezzlement Study.
The financial services industry is hard hit by embezzlement cases; 17 percent of employee theft in organizations with fewer than 500 employees occurs in this sector. For professional services businesses, the median loss as a result of employee theft was highest -- $615,101.
Perpetrators are often well-liked and smart, so how do good employees turn bad? According to the report, there are four driving factors:
• Pressure: Often resulting from gambling or investment losses, medical expenses or significant debt, an employee is put into a situation that seemingly can only be relieved by acquiring more funds.
• Opportunity: Senior, trusted employees may be more likely to have access to secure files and controls, providing more opportunity to cover up crimes.
• Capability: Embezzlers often have skills and knowledge about fraud.
• Rationalization: Perpetrators convince themselves that they are providing for their family, feel underpaid or ill-treat, or think others are stealing also.
The report recommends the following best practices for fraud prevention:
• Never give one person end-to-end responsibility for accounting or accounts payable.
• Pay attention to employee lifestyles.
• Conduct lawful background checks.
• Educate employees about fraud.
• Promote a culture of trustworthiness and integrity.
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