Blog 5 - Lecture 12 Interviewing and Reporting fraud

If i was to put myself into the shoes of a criminal being interviewed, I think i would want as much information as possible to be able to make up better answers and also prefer the interview to not be recorded in case i said something i didn’t mean to, therefore it is clear that this statement was made without thinking of the benefits it would have on the interviewee.

The one point i do agree with is that the interview should follow a natural path and pre-determined questions need to be made and still allowing for some flexibility, otherwise there is the risk of not asking enough or receiving enough information from the interviewee. I think recording the interview is crucial as it allows for re-evaluation of the answers and the voice pitches etc. And as for how much detail is provided, that should be minimal to none to ensure that any cracks in an answer is uncovered.

When referring to Buchanan-Cook’s article, it is made apparent there are guidelines to a successful interview, which I believe to be the most important step in an interview of a fraud case (Buchanan-Cook, 2008). Interviewing requires important skills and abilities, most come with experience although some can be gained through research and understanding the importance of information. Documenting every step of the investigation and compiling your report is also an important part of the process. When referring back to the points made by the keynote speaker it is obvious how wrong those techniques are in conducting an interview for a fraud case.

-          Buchanan-Cook, D. 17 March 2008, http://www.journalonline.co.uk/Magazine/53-3/1005067.aspx, Question of Technique

Blog 4 - Lecture 11 Identifying and preventing fraudsters

I believe awareness and education is the key to defeating fraud within today’s organisations. If business owners are better educated on how and why  fraud occurs then it will encourage them to seek out strategies to ensure their business isn’t open to it happening to them. In my experience, i have seen people commit fraudulent activity and i have seen the opportunities for people to commit fraud in the workplace. It can be as simple as authentication and passwords.

According to Grippo, it is apparent that many organisations rely on their auditors to detect fraud, although it is actually the organisations responsibility to detect it and auditors are only there to keep an eye out for fraudulent activity.

A survey by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners traced many frauds to a lack of good internal controls. The same survey noted common behaviors of employees who perpetrate fraud. One of the best ways to uncover fraud is to be alert for these red flags. Better than uncovering fraud is to keep it from happening in the first place. You can prevent fraud in your organizations in three key ways: 1. Maintain a positive, open, ethical culture. 2. Evaluate & minimize risk. 3. Create an oversight process. (Grippo, 2012)

Fraud costs the Australian economy at least $8.5 billion per year, therefore it is extremely important for organisations to understand how to prevent fraud. According to the KPMG 2010 Fraud Survey  Key finidings, the value per fraud and the cost of fraud is increasing, this means it is only going to get worse so knowing how to prevent it using education and awareness is a must.

-          Grippo, F. 2012, How to Prevent, Deter, and Uncover Fraud, page 22-24, vol. 30, issue 1

Blog 3 - Lecture 9 Online surveillance, Content regulation & Fraud

When referring to internet filtering, I immediately thought that it should be enforced due to the magnitude of the internet and the amount of illegal and unsafe content on there. I think for purposes of ensuring children are less likely to come across this material, content filtering should definitely be enforced. In my own experiences on the internet, it is so easy for an adult or child to type something into a search engine and get back unrelated content. For example, If you type Virgin into the search bar – hoping to get to the Virgin blue Australia website, it could be likely that unrelated content will emerge through the search.

When referring to the Electronic Frontiers Australia criticism of the filtering system, it is apparent that yes there are some concerns that will be raised on this system, although it could be argued that if the internet is safer because of the filtering then it shouldn’t matter if the internet is slower, don’t you think?

https://www.efa.org.au/mandatory-internet-filtering-fact-sheets/

Cyber safety is extremely important in this day and age as children are finding it much easier to access inappropriate and adult rated material online. I have one concern with filtering which is in relation to the cost of the exercise, due to the magnitude of the internet it would seem to me that the implementation process and also the running of the filtering system would be extremely costly. Although obviously more research and testing has to be done before figures could be made. I still believe that filtering internet content is the way to go to ensure the safety of children in society.

Blog 2 - Lecture 8 Privacy, Consumer protection & Spam

I am an online shopaholic but when it comes to my rights as a consumer I really don’t know what im entitled to, for example if someone was to hack my account on an online shopping website and use my card details I wouldn’t know what my rights are and what legal issues apply to website and to me. Hence why  it is important to read any legal disclaimers that a website has, and also ensure that you understand the current Unfair Terms Act.

The shopbop example shows that they have outlined their responsibilities as an online shopping website, aswell as including the legal options if something was to evolve from a fraudulent event. Although it is relating to USA law, it does apply to international users as it states that their disclaimer can be over ruled by specific law outlined in your area.

http://www.shopbop.com/ci/aboutShopBop/conditions.html

I believe the shopbop disclaimer is legally effective as it states that in some circumstances the consumer may have additional rights, and although it doesn’t specify the details of where it is and what is applicable, it still ensures the consumer understands what they are entitled to.  It is also legally effective as it uses wording which deters consumers from wanting to make a claim as they understand the disclaimer to be of the law and therefore are less likely  to challenge it.

Blog 1 - Lecture 7 Intellectual Property

Trademarks are everywhere in society, the subconscious within us recognises these logos, scents, sounds and even feel of a brand without us actually realising what we are doing. For example, I bought an orange flavoured fizzy drink last week and immediately went for the bottle with the distinctive shape, which happened to be the Fanta bottle. Without me realising I had bought this product I had already been subject to their marketing strategy.

Through reading about Intellectual property (IP) I have become more aware of how businesses use their trademarks, and how they manage to make their way into our minds without us realising or allowing them to do so. It is important to ensure that businesses understand the importance of their IP as it is possible for duplication or renditions of these IP’s to occur.

So the question then stands, How can businesses protect their IP? There are numerous ways a business can protect its IP such as being aware of other trademarks in society – possibly employ specific people to go around areas to look for trademarks similar to their own (e.g Mcdonalds staff looking for other food outlets with a big M in their logo). Patents are also important to secure, such as not talking about your patent to 3^rd parties, also having a written agreement.

It is important for a business to understand ownership of IP rights as the owner of the IP might not realise they are actually the owner for example who owns the IP if an employee comes up with an idea and the employer uses that idea?

http://www.thenewlawyer.com.au/deals/ip-lawyers-face-u-turn-after-high-court-ruling