If you suspect mandate fraud
- If a call from an alleged supplier seems suspicious, hang up and call the supplier organisation using established contact details held on the NHS organisation’s records.
-
If you suspect that a mandate fraud has occurred, the organisation’s
escalation process should be followed and immediate action is crucial and
may prevent any actual loss of NHS funds. Staff must act immediately by
alerting their Local Counter Fraud Specialist (see also how to report fraud
below) and the following actions must be taken:
- Your organisation’s Local Counter Fraud Specialist or Director of Finance should contact the targeted NHS organisation’s bank advising them of the suspected mandate fraud in action.
- The NHS organisation's bank should be instructed to contact the bank of the suspect account where the fraudulent transfer of NHS funds have been made to.
- An immediate freeze on the funds should be requested.
All fraud whether suspected, attempted or successful should be reported to NHSCFA.
Other resources
Please see the NHSCFA’s wider advice on the prevention of procurement fraud on our Guidance page. You can also find more information and definitions for the different types of procurement fraud affecting the NHS in the NHS Fraud Reference Guide .
The video below shows an example of a mandate fraud stopped by the quick thinking of an NHS staff member.
Stop fraud in its tracks
This animation shows an example of a mandate fraud (also known as payment diversion fraud) stopped by the quick thinking of an NHS employee, to support a wider message on fraud prevention.
How to report fraud
Report any suspicions of fraud to the NHS Counter Fraud Authority online at https://cfa.nhs.uk/report-fraud or through the NHS Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line 0800 028 4060 (powered by Crimestoppers). All reports are treated in confidence and you have the option to report anonymously. You can also report fraud to your nominated Local Counter Fraud Specialist.