Evaluation of fraud prevention measures in the Unemployment Insurance Fund, North West Province
Abstract
The fraud prevention measures in Unemployment Insurance Fund, North West
Province, were evaluated in this study. The manual on fraud prevention measures
was formulated and started implementation in 2000, and since !hen, no review was
made. Different literature was reviewed to find out what other researchers say about
the related problem. In reviewing literature, it was found out that fraud had an
adverse effect in any business, and the best way to combat or prevent it, was to
formulate and implement some preventative measures, monitor and review them at
least annually.
Data gathering was conducted by distributing questionnaires to different staff of
Unemployment Insurance Fund throughout the North West province. The
questionnaires were aimed at identifying the most vulnerable areas to fraud,
evaluating the effectiveness of fraud prevention measures, identifying different types
and causes of fraud and finding out whether contributors and their employers are
well informed about the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
The study found that the existing fraud prevention measures were not quite effective
in the sense that they are reactive than preventive according to the respondents.
Claims, accounts and registry sections were identified as the most vulnerable
sections. The most prevalent types of frau din the UJF were found to he cheque, cash,
and identity frauds, The study again found the main causes of fraud in UIF are
ineffective internal controls, lack of strict supervision, income disparities and low
salaries of lower level employees. It also came to light on the study that there has not
been any significant change in fraud since the year 2000 after the formulation and
implementation of fraud prevention measures among the ways to reduce fraud as
suggested by the employees are salary review, constant supervision, intensive
investigations and awareness campaigns what is essential to effectively reduce the
level of fraud in the UIF is effective implementation of the preventive oriented
internal controls coupled with strict supervision.