Ellie Ames 27 November 2023

West Suffolk defrauded of £52,000

West Suffolk defrauded of £52,000 image
Image: Pungu x / Shutterstock.com

West Suffolk Council has revealed that it lost £52,000 in a fraud incident this year.

Last week, the local authority’s performance and audit scrutiny committee heard that fraudsters had hacked into a supplier’s email system and contacted its customers, including the council.

A payment was then made to the company. West Suffolk said it was the first time it had been defrauded in this way.

The council said it had subsequently updated its internal audit fraud response plan, put on a training programme for its invoice processors, and set up a report to highlight any account changes in its supplier base.

Cabinet member for resources Diane Hind said: ‘Although we did catch the fraud and stopped further funds going out, unfortunately this was after payment had been made.

‘We have been in contact with the company whose security was breached and the email supplier as well as strengthening and re-enforcing our own practices.

‘This is prevalent crime that is very hard to solve and prosecute and we would want to see much more focus nationally on this.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Corporate Director Children and Young People’s Service

North Yorkshire Council
£136,853 to £159,178 plus relocation support
North Yorkshire is England's largest county and a beautiful, vibrant place to live and work. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Customer Service Assistant

Essex County Council
Up to £12541.00 per annum
Customer Service AssistantPermanent, Part Time£12,541 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Executive Director of Communications and Engagement

City of London
Competitive Salary
This role requires strategic vision, operational excellence, and political acumen London (City of), London (Greater)
Recuriter: City of London

Support Worker

Oxfordshire County Council
£25992 - £28163
You will be supporting adults with learning disabilities, mental health needs, ageing needs and dementia. This is a frontline role where you will be providing high quality and meaningful activities, medication support, personal care, food and drink prepar Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Community Support Worker

Essex County Council
£25395.0000 - £32131.0000 per annum
The Role As a Community Support Worker, your role will include undertaking Assessments and Reviews in line with our Statutory duties under the Care England, Essex, Clacton-On-Sea
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner