VFM Services, the desktop counter fraud services provider, has announced the launch of its innovative conversation management techniques to help counter fraud in the public sector.
Sally Griffiths, Director VFM Services, explains: “Fraud in the public sector is a huge problem – it has been estimated that three pence in every pound spent by the Government ends up being given to someone who isn’t entitled to it. At a time when budgets are being cut in all departments, any money that can be recouped will be well received.
“The perception of fraud needs to change. If people think that they can get away with it, and there is no repercussion to their actions, then they will try to try to beat the system. Government needs to work together with industries who have had proven success in reducing fraud to reduce this unnecessary expenditure.”
VFM’s award winning conversation management techniques provide proven results in fighting fraud, and it is now launching the same service and training to the public sector.
To date, VFM has saved the insurance industry over £58m since 2004, and for every £1 invested, it has saved the client at least double in household claims which are not settled using VFM’s training and conversation management techniques. VFM was also independently been awarded Training Programme of the Year and was recently shortlisted for Fraud Prevention Initiative of the Year by Insurance Times magazine, one of the insurance industry’s leading trade publications, for its market leading conversation management training programme. The training combines its ‘New ERA’ six week course accredited by Portsmouth University, and its six day ACFTech (Accredited Counter Fraud Technician) course accredited by the Counter Fraud Professional Accreditation Board.
VFM can work together with Government departments to provide an outsourced service – training its desktop investigators to use a combination of psychology and communication skills (conversation management), with legal practice and effective desktop investigation techniques to investigate potentially fraudulent claimants. Conversation management is undertaken in a sympathetic manner which reassures the genuine claimant whilst un-deterring the fraudster.
Sally Griffiths continues: “Prevention is better than cure and we must ensure that the right benefit is being paid to the right claimant, and help to stamp out fraud. It’s important that anti-fraud measures are undertaken at each stage of the claims process, beginning with application, right through to maintenance, and reviewing the claimant’s situation on a regular basis. There is no easier way than talking to claimants directly. This way, they also know that if they omit any information that would lead to a change in their benefits, then they will be found out.”