Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is International Fraud Awareness Week?
Established by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), the weeklong campaign encourages business leaders and employees to proactively take steps to minimize the impact of fraud by promoting anti-fraud awareness and education. Organizations and individuals are encouraged to register as Official Supporters prior to Fraud Awareness Week, and to host training opportunities, distribute anti-fraud information or otherwise promote anti-fraud activities during the week.

When does it take place?
Fraud Awareness Week takes place yearly during the second week of November.

Why is Fraud Awareness Week important?
Organizations worldwide lose an estimated 5 percent of their annual revenues to fraud, according to a survey of Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs) who investigated cases between January 2010 and fall of 2011. This and other statistics on fraud were published in the ACFE's 2012 Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse.

What does it mean to be an Official Supporter?
Becoming an Official Supporter of Fraud Awareness Week helps demonstrate your organization’s commitment to preventing and detecting fraud. There is no cost to become an Official Supporter – simply sign up online. You will be given access to resources provided by the ACFE to help your organization and/or employees take a proactive stance against fraud. You will be encourage to use these materials during fraud week and to help promote the campaign among your employees, stakeholders and your local media outlets. Your organization (with a linked web site address) will also be posted on the Fraud Week web site.

Who may sign up as an Official Supporter?
Anyone may sign up. We encourage businesses and organizations across the world to become Official Supporters of Fraud Awareness Week.

How do I get started?
After signing up, view our downloadable resources and choose which tools are best for your organization. We recommend taking the Fraud Prevention Check-Up to help identify risk areas in your organization, and using our Sample Fraud Policy to develop your own policy to help prevent fraud.

After Fraud Awareness Week is over, what do I do?
Don’t stop there. Fraud is committed year-round, and organizations must be vigilant. Provide regularly scheduled anti-fraud awareness training for your employees, evaluate your fraud risk and your fraud policy, and communicate your policy to your employees on a regular basis. Deterrence begins with making individuals aware that fraud will not be tolerated, and that controls are in place to detect it.