Survey suggests work from home ‘raises fraud risk’

Working from home is putting businesses at greater risk of fraud, a survey suggests.

A poll of 500 medium-sized UK companies by accountancy firm BDO found that 78 per cent said their exposure to the crime had increased since remote working became commonplace.

Nearly nine in ten firms experienced fraud last year with average losses totalling £219,000. Of those, more than a quarter said they had fallen victim at least twice. 

Concern: Working from home could add to the risks if, for example, a fraudster calls an employee pretending to be someone in another part of the firm and builds a rapport

Working from home could add to the risks if, for example, a fraudster calls an employee pretending to be someone in another part of the firm and builds a rapport.

Kaley Crossthwaite, of BDO, told The Sunday Telegraph the risks of such ‘red flags’ going unnoticed was greater when people work remotely because they spend less time chatting casually to colleagues or asking, ‘Do you know this person?’