Economic Crime Survey 2024: Research materials

Question 1

1.  Quantitative questionnaire and list of split-sampled questions

Accepted Answer

1.1 Quantitative questionnaire

INTRO SCREEN IF TELEPHONE (MODETYPE = CATI)

Is this the head office for [SAMPLE CONAME]?

IF NOT THE HEAD OFFICE, ASK TO BE TRANSFERRED AND RESTART

Hello, my name is … from Ipsos, the independent research business.

IF CALLING 08 NUMBER FOR CHARITY (SAMPLE S_FREENUM=_01): Before I proceed, I’d like to make clear that I’m calling your 0800 number, for which you may be charged. Would you like me to proceed, or call on a different number?

We are conducting a survey on behalf of the Home Office. It is about how UK businesses of all different sizes manage risks like fraud and other economic crime. By taking part, you will help to shape the government’s understanding of these areas.

IF SAMPLE S_SIZEBAND=_05: If your business takes part in the full interview, Ipsos will make a £15 donation to charity on your behalf at the end of the interview
taking part is confidential and anonymous
the interview takes an average of 20 minutes, and is typically shorter for smaller business

IF A MICRO, SMALL OR MEDIUM BUSINESS:

Could I please speak to the business owner or another senior person like a director?

IF A LARGE BUSINESS:

Could I please speak to someone senior with an overview of major finance, legal or compliance matters affecting your business? This could be a director, legal counsel or compliance officer, for example.

REASSURANCES IF NECESSARY

we got your contact details from the Market Location business database
the survey is for all types of businesses, including those that have not had any challenges or issues with fraud or other crime
the survey is not technical – we want your views, not just expert opinion on this topic
to check the survey is legitimate, details of the survey are on the gov.uk website at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/economic-crime-survey-2024. You can also Google the term “Home Office Economic Crime Survey 2024” to find the same link yourself

SHOWSCREEN_REASSURANCE

SHOW IF TELEPHONE (MODETYPE = CATI) AND WANTS REASSURANCE EMAIL

Just so you know, this email has more information about the survey and gives you a unique link to complete all or part of the survey online, if you prefer this. We may call you back after a few days to help you get the survey completed, if you’re unable to fill it out online.

Please check your junk email folder if you haven’t received the email in the next few minutes.

STANDARD OPTIONS TO SEND REASSURANCE EMAIL

WEBINTRO
INTRO SCREEN IF WEB (MODETYPE = WEB/ONLINE)

Thanks for filling in this important government survey. This survey should be completed by someone senior with an overview of major finance, legal or compliance matters affecting your business.

By taking part, you will help to shape the government’s understanding of these areas, and the challenges businesses like yours face.

IF SAMPLE S_SIZEBAND=_05: If your business takes part in the full interview, Ipsos will make a £15 donation to charity on your behalf at the end of the interview.

Participation in the survey is voluntary and you can change your mind at any time. To check the survey is legitimate and to view Ipsos’ privacy policy, you can visit the GOV.UK website on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/economic-crime-survey-2024.

CONSENT

ASK IF TELEPHONE (MODETYPE = CATI)

Before we start, I just want to clarify that participation in the survey is voluntary and you can change your mind at any time. Are you happy to proceed with the interview?

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No CLOSE SURVEY

VERIFYSENIOR

ASK IF WEB (MODETYPE = WEB/ONLINE)

Please could you confirm that you are a senior person in [SAMPLE S_CONAME], with an overview of major finance, legal or compliance matters affecting your business?

SINGLE CODE

Yes – appropriate senior person
No – not an appropriate person

SHOWSCREEN_NOTSENIOR

SHOW IF NOT A SENIOR PERSON (VERIFYSENIOR CODE 2)

Thank you for your interest in this study.

Please forward the email invitation or survey link you received to the appropriate senior person in your business. Their feedback will shape the government’s understanding of businesses like yours.

RETURN TO INTRO SCREEN

DONATION

ASK IF SAMPLED AS LARGE (SIZEDUM CODE 5)

As promised, we will make a £15 charity donation on your behalf as a thank you for completing the full interview, which takes an average of 20 minutes. We have three charities for you to choose from.

ADD IF NECESSARY:

Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to charitable grants and other financial help
the NSPCC, or National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, is a charity campaigning and working in child protection in the United Kingdom
Samaritans provides emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland

READ OUT

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Turn2Us
NSPCC
Samaritans
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to donate

SIZEA

ASK ALL

How many employees work for your business across the UK as a whole?

This includes full-time and part-time staff. Please include yourself if you are on the payroll as an employee.

PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE BEFORE CODING DK

Please write a number in the box below

WRITE IN RANGE 1-99,999 (SOFT CHECK IF >4,999, “Did you say [ANSWER]?”)

SINGLE CODE

No employees on the payroll
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

SIZEB

ASK IF DON’T KNOW SIZE OF BUSINESS (SIZEA CODE DK)

Which of these best represents the number of employees working for your business across the UK as a whole? Please include yourself if you are on the payroll as an employee.

PROBE FULLY

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

No employees on the payroll
1 to 9
10 to 49
50 to 249
250 to 499
500 or more
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

SIZEDUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Which of these best represents the number of employees working in your business, including yourself?

SINGLE CODE

MERGE RESPONSES FROM SIZEA AND SIZEB

USE SAMPLE S_SIZEBAND IF SIZEB CODE DK

No employees on the payroll
1 to 9
10 to 49
50 to 249
IF SIZEB CODES 5 OR 6: 250 or more

SCREEN OUT ALL WITH NO EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODE 1)

TRADER

ASK ALL

In the last 12 months, have you conducted business outside the UK?

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

TRADERWHERE

ASK IF INTERNATIONAL TRADER (TRADER CODE 1)

In which regions of the world, outside the UK, have you conducted business in the last 12 months?

PROMPT TO CODE

PROBE FULLY (I.E., “ANYWHERE ELSE?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

The European Union
Wider Europe, outside the European Union (including Israel)
North America
Central or South America
The Gulf states, including Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen
Africa
Central Asia
Japan
Asia-Pacific beyond Japan, including the rest of East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

SCRIPT TO RANDOMISE ORDER OF FOLLOWING GROUPS OF QUESTIONS:

SHOWSCREEN_FRAUDNUM TO FRAUD_ COSTSTAFF_DK
OFFERED_HAD TO CORRUPTION_BARRIER
SHOWSCREEN_MLNUM TO SANCTIONS_CONFIDENCE

RANDOM_SEGMENTS

SCRIPT TO ADD A VARIABLE TO RANDOMLY SPLIT SAMPLE INTO SIX EQUAL SEGMENTS TO ALLOW SPLIT SAMPLING BY HALVES OR THIRDS:

SEGMENT A
SEGMENT B
SEGMENT C
SEGMENT D
SEGMENT E
SEGMENT F

SHOWSCREEN_FRAUDNUM

SHOW IF TELEPHONE (MODETYPE = CATI)

Just so you know, the next questions require you to give a number, rather than a yes or no response.

INTERVIEWER NOTE: IF RESPONDENT SAYS “NO”, ASSUME THEY MEAN “0”

FRAUD_TYPES

ASK ALL

These questions are about different types of fraud or attempted fraud that can happen in a business context. We only want to hear about attempts that definitely happened – not instances where you suspect there may have been a fraud attempt, but don’t know for sure.

In the last 12 months, how many times, if at all, has your business experienced any of the following? This is even if these instances were ultimately unsuccessful or had no impact on your business.

READ OUT STATEMENTS

PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE BEFORE CODING DK

REASSURE ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMISATION BEFORE CODING REF

Please write a number in the box below

ASK ON SEPARATE SCREENS IF CATI OR WEB

[IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2 to 5): Staff or fraudsters/ELSE: Fraudsters] attempting to use your business’s debit or credit card information without permission
[IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2 to 5): Staff or fraudsters/ELSE: Fraudsters] attempting to access your business’s online bank account to move money without permission
Attempts to trick your business into changing genuine Direct Debits, standing orders or bank transfers, to divert funds to fraudsters
Fraudsters sending your business a fake invoice
Fraudsters pretending to offer your business an investment opportunity that is worthless or doesn’t exist
Suppliers knowingly claiming for goods or services that were not delivered, or not delivered as specified
Suppliers knowingly charging an advance fee for goods or services that don’t end up being delivered
Current or prospective suppliers knowingly misleading you (for example, in bids or contracts, or to win work)
People making false insurance claims against your business
[IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Staff or suppliers/ELSE: Suppliers] falsifying personal expenses
Accounts to procure services being opened in your business’s name, without your permission (for example, with a bank, phone company or another service provider)
Customers dishonestly claiming refunds (for example, for used or stolen goods, or by switching price tags)

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE 0-999 (SOFT CHECK IF>9, “Did you say [ANSWER] times?”)
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

FRAUD_CYBERENABLED

ASK IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED CYBER-ENABLED FRAUD (FRAUD_TYPESb>0)

IF FRAUD_TYPESb>1:

This question is specifically about the [FRAUD_TYPESb NUMBER] attempts made to access your business’s online bank account. How many of these attempts, if any, resulted in money being taken?

IF FRAUD_TYPESb=1:

This question is specifically about the attempt made to access your business’s online bank account. Did this attempt result in money being taken?

IF FRAUD_TYPESb=1: INTERVIEWER NOTE: PUT 1 FOR “YES” AND 0 FOR “NO”

IF FRAUD_TYPESb=1: Please put 1 for “yes” and 0 for “no”

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE 0-[FRAUD_TYPESb NUMBER]
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_INVOICENAME

ASK IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED INVOICE FRAUD (FRAUD_TYPESd>0)

IF FRAUD_TYPESd>1:

This question is specifically about the [FRAUD_TYPESd NUMBER] fake invoices you received. How many of them, if any, mentioned your business or any staff by name, or any of your specific business activities?

IF FRAUD_TYPESd=1:

This question is specifically about the fake invoice you received. Did this invoice mention your business or any staff by name, or any of your specific business activities?

IF FRAUD_TYPESd=1: INTERVIEWER NOTE: PUT 1 FOR “YES” AND 0 FOR “NO”

IF FRAUD_TYPESd=1: Please put 1 for “yes” and 0 for “no”

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE 0-[FRAUD_TYPESd NUMBER]
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_INVOICENAME_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Number of remaining instances (for later text substitution):

IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED INVOICE FRAUD (FRAUD_TYPESd>0) AND EXPLICIT REFERENCE TO BUSINESS (FRAUD_INVOICENAME>0): [FRAUD_TYPESd – FRAUD_INVOICENAME]
IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED INVOICE FRAUD (FRAUD_TYPESd>0) AND NO EXPLICIT REFERENCE TO BUSINESS (FRAUD_INVOICENAME=0 OR DK): FRAUD_TYPESd NUMBER
ELSE: MISSING

FRAUD_INVOICEREPLY

ASK IF ANY REMAINING ATTEMPTED INVOICE FRAUDS (FRAUD_INVOICENAME_DUM>0)

IF FRAUD_INVOICENAME_DUM>1:

Of the [FRAUD_INVOICENAME_DUM NUMBER] fake invoices you received that didn’t explicitly refer to your business or staff, how many, if any, did your business respond to? That could include paying the invoice, or anyone calling, messaging or emailing back the sender.

IF FRAUD_INVOICENAME_DUM=1:

Now thinking of the fake invoice you received that didn’t explicitly refer to your business or staff, did your business respond to it? That could include paying the invoice, or anyone calling, messaging or emailing back the sender.

IF FRAUD_INVOICENAME_DUM=1: INTERVIEWER NOTE: PUT 1 FOR “YES” AND 0 FOR “NO”

IF FRAUD_INVOICENAME_DUM=1: Please put 1 for “yes” and 0 for “no”

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE 0-[FRAUD_INVOICENAME_DUM NUMBER]
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_INVOICENUM_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Number of instances of attempted invoice fraud with a specific intended victim (among those experiencing any):

IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED INVOICE FRAUD AS A SPECIFIC INTENDED VICTIM (FRAUD_INVOICENAME>0 OR FRAUD_INVOICEREPLY>0): [FRAUD_INVOICENAME + FRAUD_INVOICEREPLY], COUNTING DK AS 0
ELSE: MISSING

SHOWSCREEN_INVOICE

SHOW IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED INVOICE FRAUD AS A SPECIFIC INTENDED VICTIM AS WELL AS OTHER FAKE INVOICES (FRAUD_INVOICENUM_DUM≥1 AND FRAUD_TYPESd>FRAUD_INVOICENUM_DUM)

IF FRAUD_INVOICENUM_DUM=1: From now, this survey will only refer to the one fake invoice that was specifically targeted at your business or that someone responded to.

IF FRAUD_INVOICENUM_DUM>1: From now, this survey will only refer to the [FRAUD_INVOICENUM_DUM] fake invoices that were specifically targeted at your business or that someone responded to.

FRAUD_INVESTNAME

ASK IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED INVESTMENT FRAUD (FRAUD_TYPESe>0)

IF FRAUD_TYPESe>1:

This question is specifically about the [FRAUD_TYPESe NUMBER] attempts to offer your business a fraudulent investment opportunity. How many of these, if any, mentioned your business or any staff by name, or any of your specific business activities?

IF FRAUD_TYPESe=1:

This question is specifically about the attempt to offer your business a fraudulent investment opportunity. Did this offer mention your business or any staff by name, or any of your specific business activities?

IF FRAUD_TYPESe=1: INTERVIEWER NOTE: PUT 1 FOR “YES” AND 0 FOR “NO”

IF FRAUD_TYPESe=1: Please put 1 for “yes” and 0 for “no”

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE 0-[FRAUD_TYPESe NUMBER]
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_INVESTNAME_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Number of remaining instances (for later text substitution):

IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED INVESTMENT FRAUD (FRAUD_TYPESe>0) AND EXPLICIT REFERENCE TO BUSINESS (FRAUD_INVESTNAME>0): [FRAUD_TYPESe – FRAUD_INVESTNAME]
IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED INVESTMENT FRAUD (FRAUD_TYPESe>0) AND NO EXPLICIT REFERENCE TO BUSINESS (FRAUD_INVESTNAME=0 OR DK): FRAUD_TYPESe NUMBER
ELSE: MISSING

FRAUD_INVESTREPLY

ASK IF ANY REMAINING ATTEMPTED INVESTMENT FRAUDS (FRAUD_INVESTNAME_DUM>0)

IF FRAUD_INVESTNAME_DUM>1:

Of the [FRAUD_INVESTNAME_DUM NUMBER] fraudulent investment opportunities that didn’t explicitly refer to your business or staff, how many, if any, did your business engage with? That could include making an investment, or anyone calling, messaging or emailing back to find out more.

IF FRAUD_INVESTNAME_DUM=1:

Now thinking of the fraudulent investment opportunity that didn’t explicitly refer to your business or staff, did your business engage with it? That could include making an investment, or anyone calling, messaging or emailing back to find out more.

IF FRAUD_INVESTNAME_DUM=1: INTERVIEWER NOTE: PUT 1 FOR “YES” AND 0 FOR “NO”

IF FRAUD_INVESTNAME_DUM=1: Please put 1 for “yes” and 0 for “no”

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE 0-[FRAUD_INVESTNAME_DUM NUMBER]
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_INVESTNUM_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Number of instances of attempted investment fraud with a specific intended victim (among those experiencing any):

IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED INVESTMENT FRAUD AS A SPECIFIC INTENDED VICTIM (FRAUD_INVESTNAME>0 OR FRAUD_INVESTREPLY>0): [FRAUD_INVESTNAME + FRAUD_INVESTREPLY], COUNTING DK AS 0
ELSE: MISSING

SHOWSCREEN_INVEST

SHOW IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED INVESTMENT FRAUD AS A SPECIFIC INTENDED VICTIM AS WELL AS OTHER FAKE INVESTMENT (FRAUD_INVESTNUM_DUM≥1 AND FRAUD_TYPESe>FRAUD_INVESTNUM_DUM)

IF FRAUD_INVESTNUM_DUM=1: From now, this survey will only refer to the one fraudulent investment opportunity that was specifically targeted at your business or that someone responded to.

IF FRAUD_INVESTNUM_DUM>1: From now, this survey will only refer to the [FRAUD_INVESTNUM_DUM] fraudulent investment opportunities that were specifically targeted at your business or that you responded to.

FRAUD_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Whether experienced attempted fraud:

SINGLE CODE

IF ONLY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS MET:
- ONLY ONE STATEMENT AT FRAUD_TYPESa-c>0
- ONLY ONE STATEMENT AT FRAUD_TYPESf-l>0
- FRAUD_INVOICENUM_DUM≥1
- FRAUD_INVESTNUM_DUM≥1

THEN: One type of attempted fraud experienced

IF MORE THAN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS MET:
- ATTEMPTED FRAUD_TYPESa-c>0 (CONDITION IS MET FOR MORE THAN ONE OF THESE STATEMENTS)
- FRAUD_TYPESf-l>0 (CONDITION IS MET FOR MORE THAN ONE OF THESE STATEMENTS)
- FRAUD_INVOICENUM_DUM≥1
- FRAUD_INVESTNUM_DUM≥1

THEN: Multiple types of attempted fraud experienced

ELSE: No fraud experienced

FRAUD_NUM_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Number of instances of attempted fraud (among those experiencing any):

IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_DUM CODES 1-2): [FRAUD_TYPESa-c + FRAUD_TYPESf-l + FRAUD_INVOICENUM_DUM + FRAUD_INVESTNUM_DUM], COUNTING DK AND REF AS 0
ELSE: MISSING

SHOWSCREEN_FRAUD

SHOW RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_DUM CODES 1-2)

IF FRAUD_NUM_DUM>1: Just as a reminder, you’ve told us about [FRAUD_NUM_DUM NUMBER] instances of fraud or attempted fraud experienced in the last 12 months. This includes:

IF FRAUD_NUM_DUM=1: Just as a reminder, you’ve told us about one instance of fraud or attempted fraud experienced in the last 12 months. This was:

SCRIPT TO SHOW AS BULLET POINTS:

IF FRAUD_TYPESa≥1: Attempted use of your business’s debit or credit card information without permission
IF FRAUD_TYPESb≥1: Attempts to access your business’s online bank account, to move money without permission
IF FRAUD_TYPESc≥1: Fraudsters attempting to trick your business into changing genuine Direct Debits, standing orders or bank transfers
IF FRAUD_INVOICENUM_DUM≥1: Fraudsters sending a fake invoice that was specifically targeted at your business or that someone responded to
IF FRAUD_INVESTNUM_DUM≥1: A fraudulent investment opportunity that was specifically targeted at your business or that someone responded to
IF FRAUD_TYPESf≥1: Suppliers claiming for goods or services not delivered
IF FRAUD_TYPESg≥1: Suppliers charging advance fees for work not delivered
IF FRAUD_TYPESh≥1: Current or prospective suppliers knowingly misleading you
IF FRAUD_TYPESi≥1: False insurance claims against your business
IF FRAUD_TYPESj≥1: Staff or suppliers falsifying personal expenses
IF FRAUD_TYPESk≥1: Accounts being opened in your business’s name, without your permission
IF FRAUD_TYPESl≥1: Customers dishonestly claiming refunds

FRAUD_STOPPED

ASK RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_DUM CODES 1-2)

IF FRAUD_NUM_DUM>1:

In how many of these [FRAUD_NUM_DUM NUMBER] instances, if any, was a payment or transfer to the fraudster blocked by your business bank, credit card company or another service provider?

IF FRAUD_NUM_DUM=1:

In this instance, was a payment or transfer to the fraudster blocked by your business bank, credit card company or another service provider?

IF FRAUD_NUM_DUM=1: INTERVIEWER NOTE: PUT 1 FOR “YES” AND 0 FOR “NO”

IF FRAUD_NUM_DUM=1: Please put 1 for “yes” and 0 for “no”

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE 0-[FRAUD_NUM_DUM NUMBER]
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_IMPACT

ASK RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_DUM CODES 1-2)

IF FRAUD_NUM_DUM>1: Thinking again about all [FRAUD_NUM_DUM NUMBER] instances of fraud or attempted fraud you experienced in the last 12 months, i.e., not just the ones that resulted in money being taken, was your business impacted in any of the following ways?

IF FRAUD_NUM_DUM=1: Was your business impacted in any of the following ways from this fraud or attempted fraud?

READ OUT STATEMENTS

Please select one answer for each statement

ASK ON SEPARATE SCREENS IF CATI

ASK AS A COLLAPSIBLE GRID IF WEB

RANDOMISE STATEMENTS

Additional [IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): staff] time taken to deal with the fraud, or to inform customers or investors
Loss of sales or revenue
Loss of investors or share value
Loss of suppliers
New measures needed to prevent or protect against future instances of fraud
Fines from regulators or authorities, or associated legal costs
Prevented provision of goods or services to customers
Discouraged you from carrying out a future business activity you were intending to do
Complaints from customers or investors
Goodwill compensation or discounts given to customers
Business assets, trade secrets or intellectual property being lost or stolen
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Staff being let go or resigning
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Damage to staff morale

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_DIRECT

ASK RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_DUM CODES 1-2)

IF FRAUD_NUM_DUM>1: Across all the [FRAUD_NUM_DUM NUMBER] instances of fraud or attempted fraud you experienced in the last 12 months, what was the approximate total value of any external payments made to the fraudsters, or any money they stole?

IF FRAUD_NUM_DUM=1: What was the approximate value of any external payments made to the fraudsters, or any money they stole?

PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE BEFORE CODING DK

REASSURE ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMISATION BEFORE CODING REF

Please write your answer in £ in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE £1-£99,999,999 (SOFT CHECK IF >£999, “Did you say £[ANSWER]?”)
No cost of this kind incurred
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

FRAUD_DIRECT_DK

ASK IF DON’T KNOW SHORT-TERM DIRECT COST OF THIS ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_DIRECT CODE DK)

Was it approximately…?

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Less than £100
£100 to less than £500
£500 to less than £1,000
£1,000 to less than £2,500
£2,500 to less than £5,000
£5,000 to less than £10,000
£10,000 to less than £20,000
£20,000 to less than £50,000
£50,000 to less than £100,000
£100,000 to less than £250,000
£250,000 to less than £500,000
£500,000 to less than £1 million
£1 million to less than £2 million
£2 million to less than £5 million
£5 million to less than £10 million
£10 million or more
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_RECOVER

ASK IF PROVIDED SHORT-TERM DIRECT COST OF THIS ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_DIRECT≥1 OR FRAUD_DIRECT_DK CODES 1-16)

Has your business recovered all or part of the money taken by the fraudsters? This could include through an insurance payout.

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Yes – recovered all of it
Yes – recovered part of it
No – recovered none of it
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_RECOVER_VALUE

ASK IF PARTIALLY RECOVERED SHORT-TERM DIRECT COST OF THIS ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_RECOVER CODE 2)

What was the amount recovered?

PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE BEFORE CODING DK

Please write your answer in £ in the box below

WRITE IN RANGE £1-[FRAUD_DIRECT NUMBER OR TOP OF FRAUD_DIRECT_DK BAND]
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_RECOVER_VALUE_DK

ASK IF DON’T KNOW PARTIALLY RECOVERED SHORT-TERM DIRECT COST OF THIS ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_RECOVER_VALUE CODE DK)

Was it approximately…?

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

SCRIPT TO SHOW BANDS WHERE THE BOTTOM RANGE OF THE BAND IS LOWER THAN FRAUD_DIRECT NUMBER OR TOP OF FRAUD_DIRECT_DK BAND

Less than £100
£100 to less than £500
£500 to less than £1,000
£1,000 to less than £2,500
£2,500 to less than £5,000
£5,000 to less than £10,000
£10,000 to less than £20,000
£20,000 to less than £50,000
£50,000 to less than £100,000
£100,000 to less than £250,000
£250,000 to less than £500,000
£500,000 to less than £1 million
£1 million to less than £2 million
£2 million to less than £5 million
£5 million to less than £10 million
£10 million or more
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_AFTERMATH

ASK RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_DUM CODES 1-2)

IF FRAUD_NUM_DUM>1: What was the approximate total value of any external payments made in the aftermath of any of the frauds or attempted frauds?

IF FRAUD_NUM_DUM=1: What was the approximate value of any external payments made in the aftermath of the fraud or attempted fraud?

This includes:

any payments to third parties to investigate the fraud, run audits, or run training
the cost of new or upgraded software or systems needed after the fraud
recruitment costs if you had to hire someone new
any legal fees, insurance excess, fines, compensation or PR costs related to the fraud.

PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE BEFORE CODING DK

REASSURE ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMISATION BEFORE CODING REF

Please write your answer in £ in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE £1-£9,999,999 (SOFT CHECK IF >£999, “Did you say £[ANSWER]?”)
No cost of this kind incurred
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

FRAUD_AFTERMATH_DK

ASK IF DON’T KNOW MEDIUM-TERM DIRECT COST OF THIS ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_AFTERMATH CODE DK)

Was it approximately…?

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Less than £100
£100 to less than £500
£500 to less than £1,000
£1,000 to less than £2,500
£2,500 to less than £5,000
£5,000 to less than £10,000
£10,000 to less than £20,000
£20,000 to less than £50,000
£50,000 to less than £100,000
£100,000 to less than £250,000
£250,000 to less than £500,000
£500,000 to less than £1 million
£1 million to less than £2 million
£2 million to less than £5 million
£5 million to less than £10 million
£10 million or more
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_STAFF

ASK RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_DUM CODES 1-2)

IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): What was the approximate total cost of the staff time dealing with the frauds or attempted frauds from the last 12 months? This is how much staff would have got paid for this time. Please include this cost even if dealing with these sorts of issues was already part of any staff member’s job role.

ELSE: What was the approximate cost of your time dealing with the frauds or attempted frauds from the last 12 months? This is how much you would have typically been paid for this time.

PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE BEFORE CODING DK

REASSURE ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMISATION BEFORE CODING REF

Please write your answer in £ in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE £1-£9,999,999 (SOFT CHECK IF >£999, “Did you say £[ANSWER]?”)
No cost of this kind incurred
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

FRAUD_STAFF_DK

ASK IF DON’T KNOW SHORT-TERM INDIRECT COST OF THIS ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_STAFF CODE DK)

Was it approximately…?

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Less than £100
£100 to less than £500
£500 to less than £1,000
£1,000 to less than £2,500
£2,500 to less than £5,000
£5,000 to less than £10,000
£10,000 to less than £20,000
£20,000 to less than £50,000
£50,000 to less than £100,000
£100,000 to less than £250,000
£250,000 to less than £500,000
£500,000 to less than £1 million
£1 million to less than £2 million
£2 million to less than £5 million
£5 million to less than £10 million
£10 million or more
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_INDIRECT

ASK RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_DUM CODES 1-2)

IF FRAUD_NUM_DUM>1: What was the approximate value, if anything, of any wider impacts, for example, share value, customer complaints or loss of investors, as a result of any of these frauds or attempted frauds?

IF FRAUD_NUM_DUM=1: What was the approximate value, if anything, of any wider impacts, for example, share value, customer complaints or loss of investors, as a result of the fraud or attempted fraud?

This includes:

the value of lost assets or intellectual property
the value you might have expected to get from any lost customers or suppliers.

PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE BEFORE CODING DK

REASSURE ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMISATION BEFORE CODING REF

Please write your answer in £ in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE £1-£9,999,999 (SOFT CHECK IF >£999, “Did you say £[ANSWER]?”)
No cost of this kind incurred
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

FRAUD_INDIRECT_DK

ASK IF DON’T KNOW MEDIUM-TERM INDIRECT COST OF THIS ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_INDIRECT CODE DK)

Was it approximately…?

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Less than £100
£100 to less than £500
£500 to less than £1,000
£1,000 to less than £2,500
£2,500 to less than £5,000
£5,000 to less than £10,000
£10,000 to less than £20,000
£20,000 to less than £50,000
£50,000 to less than £100,000
£100,000 to less than £250,000
£250,000 to less than £500,000
£500,000 to less than £1 million
£1 million to less than £2 million
£2 million to less than £5 million
£5 million to less than £10 million
£10 million or more
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_ZERO_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Whether frauds resulted in a financial loss (among those experiencing any):

SINGLE CODE

IF FRAUD_DIRECT≥1 OR FRAUD_DIRECT_DK CODES 1-16 OR FRAUD_AFTERMATH≥1 OR FRAUD_AFTERMATH_DK CODES 1-16 OR FRAUD_STAFF≥1 OR FRAUD_STAFF_DK CODES 1-16 OR FRAUD_INDIRECT≥1 OR FRAUD_INDIRECT_DK CODES 1-16: Financial loss
IF NO FRAUDS EXPERIENCED (FRAUD_DUM CODE 3): MISSING
IF NOT ASKED FRAUD COST QUESTIONS (SEGMENTS D-F): MISSING
ELSE: No financial loss

FRAUD_LOSS

ASK RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) IF MORE THAN ONE ATTEMPTED FRAUD EXPERIENCED (FRAUD_NUM_DUM>1) AND ANY FRAUDS RESULTED IN A FINANCIAL LOSS (FRAUD_ZERO_DUM CODE 1)

Considering all the types of costs you just mentioned, how many of your [FRAUD_NUM_DUM NUMBER] frauds or attempted frauds from the last 12 months resulted in financial loss?

This is regardless of whether your business got this money back later.

Please write a number in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE 1-[FRAUD_NUM_DUM NUMBER]
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_LOSS_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Number of frauds (among those experiencing any) that led to financial loss:

IF RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) AND EXPERIENCED ONLY ONE ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_NUM_DUM=1) AND RESULTED IN A FINANCIAL LOSS (FRAUD_ZERO_DUM CODE 1): 1
IF RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) AND AT LEAST ONE FRAUD RESULTED IN A FINANCIAL LOSS (FRAUD_LOSS≥1): FRAUD_LOSS NUMBER
ELSE: MISSING

FRAUD_RECENT

ASK RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) IF EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TYPES OF ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_DUM CODE 2)

Of all the types of fraud or attempted fraud you mentioned, which one did you experience most recently? Was it…

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

IF FRAUD_TYPESa CODE 1: Attempted use of your business’s debit or credit card information without permission
IF FRAUD_TYPESb CODE 1: Attempts to access your business’s online bank account, to move money without permission
IF FRAUD_TYPESc CODE 1: Fraudsters attempting to trick your business into changing genuine Direct Debits, standing orders or bank transfers
IF FRAUD_INVOICENUM_DUM≥1: Fraudsters sending a fake invoice that was specifically targeted at your business or that someone responded to
IF FRAUD_INVESTNUM_DUM≥1: A fraudulent investment opportunity that was specifically targeted at your business or that someone responded to
IF FRAUD_TYPESf CODE 1: Suppliers claiming for goods or services not delivered
IF FRAUD_TYPESg CODE 1: Suppliers charging advance fees for work not delivered
IF FRAUD_TYPESh CODE 1: Current or prospective suppliers knowingly misleading you
IF FRAUD_TYPESi CODE 1: False insurance claims against your business
IF FRAUD_TYPESj CODE 1: Staff or suppliers falsifying personal expenses
IF FRAUD_TYPESk CODE 1: Accounts being opened in your business’s name, without your permission
IF FRAUD_TYPESl CODE 1: Customers dishonestly claiming refunds
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

FRAUD_RECENTDUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Type of attempted fraud experienced most recently

IF RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) AND EXPERIENCED ONLY ONE TYPE OF ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_DUM CODE 1), THEN:
- IF FRAUD_TYPESa-c>0 OR FRAUD_TYPESf-l>0, CODE ANSWER FROM THE ONE STATEMENT WHERE FRAUD_TYPES>0
- IF FRAUD_INVOICENUM_DUM≥1, ASSIGN CODE 4 FROM FRAUD_RECENT
- IF FRAUD_INVESTNUM_DUM≥1, ASSIGN CODE 5 FROM FRAUD_RECENT
IF RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) AND EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TYPES OF ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_DUM CODE 2), THEN TAKE ANSWER FROM FRAUD_RECENT
ELSE MISSING

FRAUD_RECENTLOSS

ASK RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) IF EXPERIENCED MORE THAN ONE ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_NUM_DUM>1) AND CAN RECALL MOST RECENT ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_RECENTDUM CODES 1-13) AND ANY FRAUDS RESULTED IN A FINANCIAL LOSS (FRAUD_ZERO_DUM CODE 1)

These next questions are specifically about the one instance of fraud or attempted fraud you experienced most recently.

Did this attempted fraud result in any financial loss for your business?

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

FRAUD_RECENTLOSS_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Whether most recent frauds resulted in a financial loss:

SINGLE CODE

IF RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) AND CAN RECALL MOST RECENT ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_RECENTDUM CODES 1-13):

IF FRAUD_RECENTLOSS CODE 1 OR (FRAUD_NUM_DUM=1 AND FRAUD_ZERO_DUM CODE 1): Financial loss
ELSE: No financial loss

ELSE MISSING

FRAUD_DETECTION

ASK RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) IF CAN RECALL MOST RECENT ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_RECENTDUM CODES 1-13)

IF EXPERIENCED ONLY ONE TYPE OF ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_DUM CODE 1) AND EXPERIENCED MORE THAN ONE ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_NUM_DUM>1): These next questions are specifically about the one instance of this fraud or attempted fraud you experienced most recently.

How did your business first become aware of this fraud or attempted fraud?

DO NOT PROMPT

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

HEADINGS IN BOLD

Through internal business process or paperwork

An internal financial audit or review
Another type of internal review or investigation
Any fraud detection software
Checking bank statements or invoices

IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Through staff

IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Reported by staff ad-hoc
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Reported via an internal whistleblowing process

Externally (from outside your business)

A financial audit or review by a third party
Another type of external review or investigation
A bank or insurance provider alerted you
A regulator alerted you
Reported by a customer
Reported by a supplier
Reported via an external whistleblowing process (for example, a hotline)
The police or other public authorities alerted you

Other

Approached directly by the fraudster (including by email)
In another way (please specify) WRITE IN
Don’t know
Prefer not to say

FRAUD_PERPETRATOR

ASK RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) IF CAN RECALL MOST RECENT ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_RECENTDUM CODES 1-13)

As far as you know, who was responsible for this fraud or attempted fraud? If you don’t know, you can say this.

PROMPT TO CODE IF NECESSARY WITH BOLD HEADINGS FIRST, THEN SPECIFIC CODES

PROBE FULLY (I.E., “ANY OTHERS?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

HEADINGS IN BOLD

Real or fake customers

A customer
Someone impersonating a customer

Real or fake suppliers or contractors

A supplier or contractor
Someone impersonating a supplier or contractor

IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Current, former or fake employees

IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): An employee working for you at the time
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): A former employee, not working for you at the time
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Someone impersonating an employee

Another real or fake business

A legitimate business
A fake business set up by the fraudsters

Another perpetrator

DO NOT READ OUT: Someone else (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

FRAUD_COMM

ASK RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) IF CAN RECALL MOST RECENT ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_RECENTDUM CODES 1-13)

Did the perpetrators of this fraud or attempted fraud communicate directly with your business or anyone in it?

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

FRAUD_NATURE

ASK IF FRAUDSTERS COMMUNICATED DIRECTLY (FRAUD_COMM CODE 1)

In what ways did they initially communicate with you? I.e., the first time you heard from them.

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

In person
Via any letters, leaflets or brochures in the post
By calling (mobile or landline)
By SMS text message
On a messaging app (for example, WhatsApp or Messenger)
On social media (for example, LinkedIn, Facebook or X)
By email
DO NOT READ OUT: In another way (please specify) WRITE IN
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

FRAUD_CYBER

ASK RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) IF CAN RECALL MOST RECENT ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_RECENTDUM CODES 1-13)

As far as you know, was this fraud or attempted fraud a result of any of the following?

READ OUT STATEMENTS

Please select one answer for each statement

ASK ON SEPARATE SCREENS IF CATI

ASK AS A COLLAPSIBLE GRID IF WEB

RANDOMISE STATEMENTS BUT KEEP A/B TOGETHER

IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Unauthorised accessing of files or networks by staff
Unauthorised accessing of files or networks by people outside your business
Computers becoming infected with malware (for example, viruses and spyware)
Hacking or attempted hacking of your business’s online bank accounts
Phishing attacks, i.e., you [IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): or staff] receiving fraudulent emails, or being directed to fraudulent websites
Attackers taking over your website, social media accounts or email accounts

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_RESPONSE

ASK RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C) IF CAN RECALL MOST RECENT ATTEMPTED FRAUD (FRAUD_RECENTDUM CODES 1-13)

Did your business take any of the following actions in response to this specific fraud or attempted fraud**?

READ OUT STATEMENTS

Please select one answer for each statement

ASK ON SEPARATE SCREENS IF CATI

ASK AS A COLLAPSIBLE GRID IF WEB

RANDOMISE STATEMENTS BUT KEEP B/C TOGETHER

Reported this fraud to anyone outside your business
Conducted an internal audit, review or investigation
Employed a third party to conduct an audit, review or investigation
Sought legal advice or took legal action (i.e., via a solicitor)
Cancelled or did not proceed with a business transaction or activity
Made changes to internal business processes (for example, new policies or controls)
Stopped working with specific customers or suppliers
Started using fraud detection software, or similar technical solutions to tackle fraud
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Took disciplinary action against employees, including letting staff go
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): New or additional staff training
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Hired additional staff to reduce future risk

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_NOREPORT

ASK IF ATTEMPTED FRAUD NOT REPORTED (FRAUD_RESPONSEa CODE 2)

What were the reasons for not reporting this fraud or attempted fraud?

DO NOT PROMPT

PROBE FULLY (“ANYTHING ELSE?”)

INTERVIEWER NOTE: IF “NO POINT/NEED” OR “DEALT WITH INTERNALLY”, PROBE FOR ANY REASONS BEHIND THIS

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

Avoiding disruption (for example, time spent investigating)
Avoiding extra or unnecessary scrutiny
Our business is not responsible/don’t want to be unfairly implicated
Didn’t see it as criminal or illegal
Didn’t want to get other businesses/staff/third parties in trouble
Don’t know who to report to
Impact not significant enough
Insufficient evidence/can’t prove it
No benefit to our business from reporting
Not obliged/required to report this kind of activity
Reporting won’t make a difference
Threatened/coerced by the perpetrators
Too soon/haven’t had enough time
Wasn’t a breach of standards of professional behaviour
Worried about fines (for example, from regulators)
Worried about loss of business
Worried about reputational damage
Another reason (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

Don’t know

FRAUD_WHEREREPORT

ASK IF ATTEMPTED FRAUD REPORTED (FRAUD_REPSONSEa CODE 1)

Who was this fraud or attempted fraud reported to?

PROMPT TO CODE IF NECESSARY, WITH BOLD HEADINGS FIRST, THEN SPECIFIC CODES

PROBE FULLY (“ANYONE ELSE?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

HEADINGS IN BOLD

Police or other law enforcement

Police
Action Fraud
National Crime Agency (NCA)
Another law enforcement agency (please specify) WRITE IN

Government, regulators or other public sector organisations

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Fraud Hotline
National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
National Trading Standards
Serious Fraud Office
Another government or public sector organisation (please specify) WRITE IN

Other non-government organisations

Bank or building society
Credit card company
Insurance company
Customers
Investors
Professional/trade/industry association
Suppliers
Public declaration (for example, a press release)
Another non-government organisation (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_RISK

ASK RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C)

Considering all the types of fraud we just discussed, how at risk would you say your business is from fraud? Is it…?

READ OUT

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

REVERSE LIST

Very at risk
Fairly at risk
Not very at risk
Not at all at risk
DO NOT READ OUT: Not applicable to my business
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_MANAGE

ASK RANDOM HALF OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS A-C)

Across the last 12 months, has your business done, or had in place, any of the following in order to manage the risks of fraud? These things could be handled internally with your business or contracted to a third party. If you think they are not applicable to your business, please say so.

READ OUT STATEMENTS

INTERVIEWER NOTE: NO NEED TO PROBE “NO” VS. “NOT APPLICABLE” – JUST TAKE THEIR INITIAL RESPONSE

Please select one answer for each statement

ASK ON SEPARATE SCREENS IF CATI

ASK AS A COLLAPSIBLE GRID IF WEB

RANDOMISE STATEMENTS BUT KEEP A/B TOGETHER

IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Any training or awareness raising activities for staff that specifically cover fraud
Any training or awareness raising activities delivered to customers that specifically cover fraud
Digital software specifically designed to prevent or detect fraud
A fraud-related risk assessment
Data sharing or collaboration with any other organisations to prevent fraud
Carried out any digital ID checks such as two-factor authentication or biometric security
An insurance policy that covers fraud incidents
Any mechanism or process to record or track suspected fraud incidents, for example, an incident log
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): A staff member whose job description includes monitoring or investigating fraud risks
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): A written anti-fraud policy or Code of Conduct for staff to follow

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Not applicable to my business
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_COSTTRAIN

ASK IF INVESTED IN FRAUD TRAINING (FRAUD_MANAGEa CODE 1 or FRAUD_MANAGEb CODE 1)

In total across the last 12 months, approximately how much has your business spent on any fraud training or awareness raising activities for staff or customers? This includes:

how much any staff would have been paid for their time to develop or deliver training
how much any staff would have been paid for their time attending the training
any payments to external training providers.

PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE BEFORE CODING DK

Please write your answer in £ in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE £1-£9,999,999 (SOFT CHECK IF <£100, “Did you say £[ANSWER]?”)
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_ COSTTRAIN_DK

ASK IF DON’T KNOW COST OF FRAUD TRAINING (FRAUD_COSTTRAIN CODE DK)

Was it approximately…?

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Less than £100
£100 to less than £500
£500 to less than £1,000
£1,000 to less than £5,000
£5,000 to less than £10,000
£10,000 to less than £20,000
£20,000 to less than £50,000
£50,000 to less than £100,000
£100,000 to less than £500,000
£500,000 to less than £1 million
£1 million to less than £5 million
£5 million to less than £10 million
£10 million or more
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_COSTSOFT

ASK IF INVESTED IN ANTI-FRAUD SOFTWARE (FRAUD_MANAGEc CODE 1)

In total across the last 12 months, approximately how much has your business spent on any digital software to prevent or detect fraud? This includes any installation or licencing costs.

PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE BEFORE CODING DK

Please write your answer in £ in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE £1-£9,999,999 (SOFT CHECK IF <£100, “Did you say £[ANSWER]?”)
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_ COSTSOFT_DK

ASK IF DON’T KNOW COST OF ANTI-FRAUD SOFTWARE (FRAUD_COSTSOFT CODE DK)

Was it approximately…?

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Less than £100
£100 to less than £500
£500 to less than £1,000
£1,000 to less than £5,000
£5,000 to less than £10,000
£10,000 to less than £20,000
£20,000 to less than £50,000
£50,000 to less than £100,000
£100,000 to less than £500,000
£500,000 to less than £1 million
£1 million to less than £5 million
£5 million to less than £10 million
£10 million or more
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_COSTRISK

ASK IF INVESTED IN FRAUD RISK ASSESSMENTS (FRAUD_MANAGEd CODE 1)

In total across the last 12 months, approximately how much has your business spent to undertake any fraud risk assessments? This includes:

how much any staff would have been paid for their time to run risk assessments
any payments to third parties to run risk assessments.

PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE BEFORE CODING DK

Please write your answer in £ in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE £1-£9,999,999 (SOFT CHECK IF <£100, “Did you say £[ANSWER]?”)
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_ COSTRISK_DK

ASK IF DON’T KNOW COST OF FRAUD RISK ASSESSMENTS (FRAUD_COSTRISK CODE DK)

Was it approximately…?

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Less than £100
£100 to less than £500
£500 to less than £1,000
£1,000 to less than £5,000
£5,000 to less than £10,000
£10,000 to less than £20,000
£20,000 to less than £50,000
£50,000 to less than £100,000
£100,000 to less than £500,000
£500,000 to less than £1 million
£1 million to less than £5 million
£5 million to less than £10 million
£10 million or more
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_COSTINS

ASK IF INVESTED IN FRAUD INSURANCE (FRAUD_MANAGEg CODE 1)

In total across the last 12 months, approximately how much has your business spent on any insurance policies that cover fraud?

PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE BEFORE CODING DK

Please write your answer in £ in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE £1-£9,999,999 (SOFT CHECK IF <£100, “Did you say £[ANSWER]?”)
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_ COSTINS_DK

ASK IF DON’T KNOW COST OF FRAUD INSURANCE (FRAUD_COSTINS CODE DK)

Was it approximately…?

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Less than £100
£100 to less than £500
£500 to less than £1,000
£1,000 to less than £5,000
£5,000 to less than £10,000
£10,000 to less than £20,000
£20,000 to less than £50,000
£50,000 to less than £100,000
£100,000 to less than £500,000
£500,000 to less than £1 million
£1 million to less than £5 million
£5 million to less than £10 million
£10 million or more
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_COSTSTAFF

ASK IF INVESTED IN ANTI-FRAUD TEAMS (FRAUD_MANAGEi CODE 1)

In total across the last 12 months, approximately how much has your business spent on any employees whose job role includes monitoring or investigating fraud risks?

If any of these employees only spend part of their time working on fraud, we’d like you to try to estimate this amount based on the proportion of their time they spend on fraud.

PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE BEFORE CODING DK

Please write your answer in £ in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE £1-£9,999,999 (SOFT CHECK IF <£100, “Did you say £[ANSWER]?”)
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

FRAUD_ COSTSTAFF_DK

ASK IF DON’T KNOW COST OF ANTI-FRAUD TEAMS (FRAUD_COSTSTAFF CODE DK)

Was it approximately…?

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Less than £100
£100 to less than £500
£500 to less than £1,000
£1,000 to less than £5,000
£5,000 to less than £10,000
£10,000 to less than £20,000
£20,000 to less than £50,000
£50,000 to less than £100,000
£100,000 to less than £500,000
£500,000 to less than £1 million
£1 million to less than £5 million
£5 million to less than £10 million
£10 million or more
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

SHOWSCREEN_OFFERED

SHOW ALL

The next sections are about the giving and receiving of gifts, favours and extra money, other than official fees. Just as a reminder, all questions continue to be confidential and anonymous, with the findings used for research purposes only.

OFFERED_HAD

ASK ALL

This question is about occasions when other UK businesses or individuals have offered your business or employees something other than an official fee. This doesn’t include free samples or trials given for marketing purposes.

In the last 12 months, how many times, if any, was your business, or anyone in it, offered a gift, favour, or extra money other than the official fee, in order to secure a business transaction, or to get you to perform a service?

ADD IF NECESSARY: If it was offered several times from the same individual, or for the same business transaction, please count each time.

REASSURE ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMISATION BEFORE CODING REF

Please write a number in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE 0-999 (SOFT CHECK IF>9, “Did you say [ANSWER] times?”)
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

OFFERED_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Whether offered or received corruption:

SINGLE CODE

IF OFFERED_HAD>0: Yes
ELSE: No

OFFERED_DETECTION

ASK IF OFFERED CORRUPTION (OFFERED_DUM CODE 1)

IF OFFERED CORRUPTION MORE THAN ONCE (OFFERED_HAD>1): These next questions are specifically about the most recent instance where your business was offered a gift, favour or extra money.

IF OFFERED CORRUPTION MORE THAN ONCE (OFFERED_HAD>1): ADD IF NECESSARY: This doesn’t include free samples or trials given for marketing purposes.

How did your business first become aware of this?

DO NOT PROMPT

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

HEADINGS IN BOLD

Through internal business process or paperwork

An internal financial audit or review
Another type of internal review or investigation
Checking bank statements or invoices
A risk assessment or other risk-based due diligence

Through owner or staff

I directly received this offer
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Reported by the employee receiving the offer
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Reported by another staff member (including via an internal whistleblowing process)

Externally (from outside your business)

A financial audit or review by a third party
Another type of external review or investigation
A bank or insurance provider alerted you
A regulator alerted you
Reported by a customer
Reported by a supplier
Reported via an external whistleblowing process (for example, a hotline)
The police or other public authorities alerted you

Other

In another way (please specify) WRITE IN
Don’t know
Prefer not to say

OFFERED_TYPE

ASK IF OFFERED CORRUPTION (OFFERED_DUM CODE 1)

As far as you know, what specifically was offered in this instance?

PROMPT TO CODE IF NECESSARY, WITH BOLD HEADINGS FIRST, THEN SPECIFIC CODES

PROBE FULLY (I.E., “ANYTHING ELSE?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

HEADINGS IN BOLD

Money

Extra money
Cryptocurrency

Gifts

Clothes or fashion accessories
Food and drink
Hospitality (for example, in hotels or restaurants)
Entertainment or sports tickets
Travel (for example, airline tickets)
Valuables (for example, gold, jewellery, electronics)

Favours

Discounts or waived charges
A job position
Insider information
An exchange with another service or favour

Other

DO NOT READ OUT: Something else (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

OFFERED_VALUE

ASK IF OFFERED CORRUPTION (OFFERED_DUM CODE 1)

In total, what was the approximate value of any gifts, favours or extra money in this instance?

PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE BEFORE CODING DK

REASSURE ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMISATION BEFORE CODING REF

Please write your answer in £ in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE £1-£9,999,999 (SOFT CHECK IF <£10 OR >£9,999, “Did you say £[ANSWER]?”)
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

OFFERED_VALUE_DK

ASK IF DON’T KNOW VALUE OF MOST RECENT RECEIVED OR OFFERED CORRUPTION (OFFERED_VALUE CODE DK)

Was it approximately…?

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Less than £50
£50 to less than £100
£100 to less than £500
£500 to less than £1,000
£1,000 to less than £5,000
£5,000 to less than £10,000
£10,000 to less than £20,000
£20,000 to less than £50,000
£50,000 to less than £100,000
£100,000 or more
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

OFFERED_PURPOSE

ASK IF OFFERED CORRUPTION (OFFERED_DUM CODE 1)

As far as you know, what was the purpose of any gifts, favours or extra money in this instance?

PROMPT TO CODE

PROBE FULLY (I.E., “ANYTHING ELSE?”)

INTERVIEWER NOTE: IF “TO SWEETEN THE DEAL” OR SIMILAR, PROMPT TO CODE

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

To secure a private sector contract
To facilitate a public sector deal/transaction
To secure better prices for goods or services
To secure a larger order/amount of goods or services
To receive special information (for example, insider knowledge on procedures or prices)
To obtain a loan/grant/other funding
To obtain insurance
To maintain good relationships
DO NOT READ OUT: Another purpose (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: No specific purpose
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

OFFERED_APPROACH

ASK IF OFFERED CORRUPTION (OFFERED_DUM CODE 1)

As far as you know, what kinds of communication channels were used to discuss the gifts, favours or extra money with your business or employee in this instance?

PROMPT TO CODE

PROBE FULLY (I.E., “ANY OTHERS?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

In person
Via any letters, leaflets or brochures in the post
By calling (mobile or landline)
By SMS text message
On a messaging app (for example, WhatsApp or Messenger)
On social media (for example, LinkedIn, Facebook or X)
By email
DO NOT READ OUT: In another way (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: It was not discussed beforehand – it was given to facilitate the process
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

OFFERED_IMPACT

ASK IF OFFERED CORRUPTION (OFFERED_DUM CODE 1)

What impacts, positive or negative, did this instance have on your business?

PROMPT TO CODE

PROBE FULLY (“ANYTHING ELSE?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

Any positive impacts

Avoided regulations or legal issues
Improved relationships with customers
Improved relationships with suppliers
Improved relationships with investors
Increased revenue or profits
New business or contracts
Received investment/funding
Reduced our costs
Reduced our debt
Another kind of positive impact (please specify) WRITE IN

Any negative impacts

Complaints from customers or investors
Damaged relationships with customers
Damaged relationships with suppliers
Damaged relationships with investors
Damage to staff morale or wellbeing
Discouraged from carrying out a future business activity
Fines from regulators
Legal costs
Loss of current or future contracts or business
Reduced revenue or profits
Staff being let go or resigning
Another kind of negative impact (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

There was no impact
Don’t know

OFFERED_RESPONSE

ASK IF OFFERED CORRUPTION (OFFERED_DUM CODE 1)

Did your business take any of the following actions in response to this specific incident?

READ OUT STATEMENTS

Please select one answer for each statement

ASK ON SEPARATE SCREENS IF CATI

ASK AS A COLLAPSIBLE GRID IF WEB

RANDOMISE STATEMENTS BUT KEEP B/C TOGETHER

Reported this instance to anyone outside your business
Conducted an internal audit, review or investigation
Employed a third party to conduct an audit, review or investigation
Sought legal advice or took legal action (i.e., via a solicitor)
Cancelled or did not proceed with a business transaction or activity
Made changes to internal business processes (for example, new policies or controls)
Stopped working with specific customers or suppliers
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Took disciplinary action against employees, including letting staff go
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): New or additional staff training
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Hired additional staff to reduce future risk

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

OFFERED_NOREPORT

ASK OFFERED CORRUPTION NOT REPORTED (OFFERED_RESPONSEa CODE 2)

What were the reasons for not reporting this instance?

DO NOT PROMPT

PROBE FULLY (“ANYTHING ELSE?”)

INTERVIEWER NOTE: IF “NO POINT/NEED” OR “DEALT WITH INTERNALLY”, PROBE FOR ANY REASONS BEHIND THIS

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

Avoiding disruption (for example, time spent investigating)
Avoiding extra or unnecessary scrutiny
Our business benefitted from it
Our business is not responsible/don’t want to be unfairly implicated
Didn’t accept the offer
Didn’t see it as criminal or illegal
Didn’t want to get other businesses/staff/third parties in trouble
Don’t know who to report to
Impact not significant enough
Insufficient evidence/can’t prove it
No benefit to our business from reporting
Not obliged/required to report this kind of activity
Reporting won’t make a difference
Threatened/coerced by the perpetrators
Too soon/haven’t had enough time
Wasn’t a breach of standards of professional behaviour
Worried about fines (for example, from regulators)
Worried about loss of business
Worried about reputational damage
Another reason (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

Don’t know

OFFERED_WHEREREPORT

ASK IF OFFERED CORRUPTION REPORTED (OFFERED_RESPONSEa CODE 1)

Who was this instance reported to?

PROMPT TO CODE IF NECESSARY, WITH BOLD HEADINGS FIRST, THEN SPECIFIC CODES

PROBE FULLY (“ANYONE ELSE?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

HEADINGS IN BOLD

Police or other law enforcement

Police
Action Fraud
Crimestoppers
National Crime Agency (NCA)
Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
Submitted a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR)
Another law enforcement agency (please specify) WRITE IN

Government, regulators or other public sector organisations

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Gambling Commission
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
Trading Standards
Another regulator
Another government or public sector organisation (please specify) WRITE IN

Other non-government organisations

Bank or building society
Credit card company
Customers
Dedicated whistleblowing organisation
Insurance company
Investors
The media/journalists
Professional/trade/industry association
Suppliers
Public declaration (for example, a press release)
Another non-government organisation (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

PRIVATE_HAD

ASK ALL

These next questions are about any times where your business had to, or was asked to, give gifts, favours or extra money other than the official fee to any UK business. This doesn’t include free samples or trials given for marketing purposes.

Firstly, in the last 12 months, how many times, if any, did your business have to give a gift, favour, or extra money other than the official fee, to any UK business, in order to secure a business transaction, or to get others to perform a service?

ADD IF NECESSARY: If your business had to do this several times with the same business, or for the same business transaction, please count each time.

REASSURE ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMISATION BEFORE CODING REF

Please write a number in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE 0-999 (SOFT CHECK IF>9, “Did you say [ANSWER] times?”)
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

PRIVATE_ASKED

ASK ALL

And in the last 12 months, how many times, if any, was your business asked to, but did not give, a gift, favour, or extra money to any UK business, in order to secure a business transaction, or to get others to perform a service? ADD IF NECESSARY: This doesn’t include free samples or trials given for marketing purposes.

ADD IF NECESSARY: If your business was asked to do this several times with the same business, or for the same business transaction, please count each time.

REASSURE ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMISATION BEFORE CODING REF

Please write a number in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE 0-999 (SOFT CHECK IF>9, “Did you say [ANSWER] times?”)
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

PRIVATE_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Whether had private sector corruption:

SINGLE CODE

IF PRIVATE_HAD>0 OR PRIVATE_ASKED>0: Yes
ELSE (INCLUDING IF MISSING FROM PRIVATE_HAD): No

PRIVATE_NUM_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Number of instances of private sector corruption (among those experiencing any):

IF EXPERIENCED PRIVATE SECTOR CORRUPTION (PRIVATE_DUM CODE 1): [PRIVATE_HAD + PRIVATE_ASKED], COUNTING DK AND REF AS 0
ELSE: MISSING

PRIVATE_TYPE

ASK IF EXPERIENCED PRIVATE SECTOR CORRUPTION (PRIVATE_DUM CODE 1)

IF EXPERIENCED PRIVATE SECTOR CORRUPTION MORE THAN ONCE (PRIVATE_NUM_DUM>1): These next questions are specifically about the most recent instance where your business either had to, or were asked to, give a gift, favour or extra money, to any other UK business in order to secure a business transaction, or to get others to perform a service. This is even if nothing was ultimately given.

ADD IF NECESSARY: This doesn’t include free samples or trials given for marketing purposes.

As far as you know, what specifically was required or asked for in this instance? This is even if nothing was ultimately given.

PROMPT TO CODE IF NECESSARY, WITH BOLD HEADINGS FIRST, THEN SPECIFIC CODES

PROBE FULLY (I.E., “ANYTHING ELSE?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

HEADINGS IN BOLD

Money

Extra money
Cryptocurrency

Gifts

Clothes or fashion accessories
Food and drink
Hospitality (for example, in hotels or restaurants)
Entertainment or sports tickets
Travel (for example, airline tickets)
Valuables (for example, gold, jewellery, electronics)

Favours

Discounts or waived charges
A job position
Insider information
An exchange with another service or favour

Other

DO NOT READ OUT: Something else (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

PRIVATE_VALUE

ASK IF EXPERIENCED PRIVATE SECTOR CORRUPTION (PRIVATE_DUM CODE 1)

In total, what was the approximate value of any gifts, favours or extra money in this instance?

PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE BEFORE CODING DK

REASSURE ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMISATION BEFORE CODING REF

Please write your answer in £ in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE £1-£9,999,999 (SOFT CHECK IF <£10 OR >£9,999, “Did you say £[ANSWER]?”)
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

PRIVATE_VALUE_DK

ASK IF DON’T KNOW VALUE OF MOST RECENT PRIVATE SECTOR CORRUPTION (PRIVATE_VALUE CODE DK)

Was it approximately…?

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Less than £50
£50 to less than £100
£100 to less than £500
£500 to less than £1,000
£1,000 to less than £5,000
£5,000 to less than £10,000
£10,000 to less than £20,000
£20,000 to less than £50,000
£50,000 to less than £100,000
£100,000 or more
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

PRIVATE_PURPOSE

ASK IF EXPERIENCED PRIVATE SECTOR CORRUPTION (PRIVATE_DUM CODE 1)

As far as you know, what was the purpose of any gifts, favours or extra money in this instance?

PROMPT TO CODE

PROBE FULLY (I.E., “ANYTHING ELSE?”)

INTERVIEWER NOTE: IF “TO SWEETEN THE DEAL” OR SIMILAR, PROMPT TO CODE

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

To secure a private sector contract
To facilitate a public sector deal/transaction
To secure better prices for goods or services
To secure a larger order/amount of goods or services
To receive special information (for example, insider knowledge on procedures or prices)
To obtain a loan/grant/other funding
To obtain insurance
To maintain good relationships
DO NOT READ OUT: Another purpose (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: No specific purpose
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

PRIVATE_APPROACH

ASK IF EXPERIENCED PRIVATE SECTOR CORRUPTION (PRIVATE_DUM CODE 1)

As far as you know, what kinds of communication channels were used to discuss the gifts, favours or extra money with your business in this instance?

PROMPT TO CODE

PROBE FULLY (I.E., “ANY OTHERS?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

In person
Via any letters, leaflets or brochures in the post
By calling (mobile or landline)
By SMS text message
On a messaging app (for example, WhatsApp or Messenger)
On social media (for example, LinkedIn, Facebook or X)
By email
DO NOT READ OUT: In another way (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: It was not discussed beforehand – it was given to facilitate the process
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

PRIVATE_IMPACT

ASK IF EXPERIENCED PRIVATE SECTOR CORRUPTION (PRIVATE_DUM CODE 1)

What impacts, positive or negative, did this instance have on your business?

PROMPT TO CODE

PROBE FULLY (“ANYTHING ELSE?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

Any positive impacts

Avoided regulations or legal issues
Improved relationships with customers
Improved relationships with suppliers
Improved relationships with investors
Increased revenue or profits
New business or contracts
Received investment/funding
Reduced our costs
Reduced our debt
Another kind of positive impact (please specify) WRITE IN

Any negative impacts

Complaints from customers or investors
Damaged relationships with customers
Damaged relationships with suppliers
Damaged relationships with investors
Damage to staff morale or wellbeing
Discouraged from carrying out a future business activity
Fines from regulators
Legal costs
Loss of current or future contracts or business
Reduced revenue or profits
Staff being let go or resigning
Another kind of negative impact (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

There was no impact
Don’t know

PRIVATE_RESPONSE

ASK IF EXPERIENCED PRIVATE SECTOR CORRUPTION (PRIVATE_DUM CODE 1)

Did your business take any of the following actions in response to this specific incident?

READ OUT STATEMENTS

Please select one answer for each statement

ASK ON SEPARATE SCREENS IF CATI

ASK AS A COLLAPSIBLE GRID IF WEB

RANDOMISE STATEMENTS BUT KEEP B/C TOGETHER

Reported this instance to anyone outside your business
Conducted an internal audit, review or investigation
Employed a third party to conduct an audit, review or investigation
Sought legal advice or took legal action (i.e., via a solicitor)
Cancelled or did not proceed with a business transaction or activity
Made changes to internal business processes (for example, new policies or controls)
Stopped working with specific customers or suppliers
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Took disciplinary action against employees, including letting staff go
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): New or additional staff training
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Hired additional staff to reduce future risk

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

PRIVATE_NOREPORT

ASK IF PRIVATE SECTOR CORRUPTION NOT REPORTED (PRIVATE_RESPONSEa CODE 2)

What were the reasons for not reporting this instance?

DO NOT PROMPT

PROBE FULLY (“ANYTHING ELSE?”)

INTERVIEWER NOTE: IF “NO POINT/NEED” OR “DEALT WITH INTERNALLY”, PROBE FOR ANY REASONS BEHIND THIS

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

Avoiding disruption (for example, time spent investigating)
Avoiding extra or unnecessary scrutiny
Our business benefitted from it
Our business is not responsible/don’t want to be unfairly implicated
Didn’t give a gift, favour or extra money
Didn’t see it as criminal or illegal
Didn’t want to get other businesses/staff/third parties in trouble
Don’t know who to report to
Impact not significant enough
Insufficient evidence/can’t prove it
No benefit to our business from reporting
Not obliged/required to report this kind of activity
Reporting won’t make a difference
Threatened/coerced by the perpetrators
Too soon/haven’t had enough time
Wasn’t a breach of standards of professional behaviour
Worried about fines (for example, from regulators)
Worried about loss of business
Worried about reputational damage
Another reason (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

Don’t know

PRIVATE_WHEREREPORT

ASK IF PRIVATE SECTOR CORRUPTION REPORTED (PRIVATE_RESPONSEa CODE 1)

Who was this instance reported to?

PROMPT TO CODE IF NECESSARY, WITH BOLD HEADINGS FIRST, THEN SPECIFIC CODES

PROBE FULLY (“ANYONE ELSE?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

HEADINGS IN BOLD

Police or other law enforcement

Police
Action Fraud
Crimestoppers
National Crime Agency (NCA)
Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
Submitted a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR)
Another law enforcement agency (please specify) WRITE IN

Government, regulators or other public sector organisations

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Gambling Commission
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
Trading Standards
Another regulator
Another government or public sector organisation (please specify) WRITE IN

Other non-government organisations

Bank or building society
Credit card company
Customers
Dedicated whistleblowing organisation
Insurance company
Investors
The media/journalists
Professional/trade/industry association
Suppliers
Public declaration (for example, a press release)
Another non-government organisation (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

SHOWSCREEN_PUBLIC

SHOW ALL

The next questions are about any direct contact with public officials in the UK. This includes:

national and local politicians
Civil Servants or local government employees
regulators
tax officials
judges and other court workers
the police and other emergency services
any other public sector employees.

By direct contact, we mean interacting with a specific individual in any of these roles, rather than with a public sector organisation as a whole.

PUBLIC

ASK ALL

In the last 12 months, has your business, [IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): or your staff,] been in direct contact with an individual UK public official, for any of the following reasons?

This includes any kind of contact, including texts or emails.

READ OUT STATEMENTS

Please select one answer for each statement

ASK ON SEPARATE SCREENS IF CATI

ASK AS A COLLAPSIBLE GRID IF WEB

To clear imports or exports through customs
To secure public sector contracts, either through a bidding process or non-competitively
Obtaining building permits, planning permission, or dealing with building regulations
For tax affairs or tax compliance
Anything related to labour regulations, environmental regulations, or health and safety (for example, for on-site inspections or any off-site issues)
Any legal proceedings for administrative, civil or labour disputes, or for criminal offences
Obtaining or renewing licences, or other authorisations for performing a business activity
Applications for any public sector grants or loans
For another reason

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

PUBLIC_INTERACT_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Types of interactions with public officials:

SINGLE CODE

IF ONLY ONE PUBLICa-i CODE 1: Interactions with public officials in a single context
IF MORE THAN ONE PUBLICa-i CODE 1: Interactions with public officials in multiple contexts
ELSE: No interactions with public officials

PUBLIC_HAD

ASK IF HAD DEALINGS WITH PUBLIC OFFICIALS (PUBLIC_INTERACT_DUM CODES 1-2)

Considering any such interactions in the last 12 months, how many times, if any, did your business have to give a UK public official a gift, favour, or extra money other than the official fee?

ADD IF NECESSARY: If you had to do this several times with the same public official, or for the same purpose, please count each time.

REASSURE ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMISATION BEFORE CODING REF

Please write a number in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE 0-999 (SOFT CHECK IF>9, “Did you say [ANSWER] times?”)
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

PUBLIC_ASKED

ASK IF HAD DEALINGS WITH PUBLIC OFFICIALS (PUBLIC_INTERACT_DUM CODES 1-2)

And in the last 12 months, how many times, if any, was your business asked to, but did not give, a UK public official a gift, favour or extra money other than the official fee?

ADD IF NECESSARY: If you were asked several times by the same public official, or for the same purpose, please count each time.

REASSURE ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMISATION BEFORE CODING REF

Please write a number in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE 0-999 (SOFT CHECK IF>9, “Did you say [ANSWER] times?”)
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

PUBLIC_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Whether had public sector corruption:

SINGLE CODE

IF PUBLIC_HAD>0 OR PUBLIC_ASKED>0: Yes
ELSE (INCLUDING IF MISSING FROM PUBLIC_HAD): No

PUBLIC_NUM_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Number of instances of public sector corruption (among those experiencing any):

IF EXPERIENCED PUBLIC SECTOR CORRUPTION (PUBLIC_DUM CODE 1): [PUBLIC_HAD + PUBLIC_ASKED], COUNTING DK AND REF AS 0
ELSE: MISSING

PUBLIC_CONTEXT

ASK IF EXPERIENCED PUBLIC SECTOR CORRUPTION (PUBLIC_DUM CODE 1) AND HAD DEALINGS WITH PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN MULTIPLE CONTEXTS (PUBLIC_INTERACT_DUM CODE 2)

IF PUBLIC_NUM_DUM>1:

You said there were [PUBLIC_NUM_DUM NUMBER] times in the last 12 months where your business either had to give, or was asked to give, a UK public official a gift, favour, or extra money. How many of these were related to each of the following administrative processes?

IF PUBLIC_NUM_DUM=1:

You said one time in the last 12 months, your business either had to give, or was asked to give, a UK public official a gift, favour, or extra money. Which of the following administrative processes was this for?

IF PUBLIC_NUM_DUM=1: INTERVIEWER NOTE: PUT 1 FOR “YES” AND 0 FOR “NO”

READ OUT STATEMENTS

IF PUBLIC_NUM_DUM>1: Please write a number in the box for each statement

IF PUBLIC_NUM_DUM=1: Please put 1 for “yes” and 0 for “no” in the box for each statement

ASK AS A GRID (NOT COLLAPSIBLE) IF CATI OR WEB

IF PUBLICa>0: To clear imports or exports through customs
IF PUBLICb>0: To secure public sector contracts
IF PUBLICc>0: Obtaining building permits, planning permission, or dealing with building regulations
IF PUBLICd>0: For tax affairs or tax compliance
IF PUBLICe>0: Anything related to labour regulations, environmental regulations, or health and safety
IF PUBLICf>0: Any legal proceedings for administrative, civil or labour disputes, or for criminal offences
IF PUBLICg>0: Obtaining or renewing licences, or other authorisations for performing a business activity
IF PUBLICh>0: Applications for any public sector grants or loans
IF PUBLICi>0: The other administrative process you mentioned

SINGLE CODE PER STATEMENT

WRITE IN RANGE 0-[PUBLIC_NUM_DUM NUMBER] (HARD CHECK IF SUM OF STATEMENTS a-i>PUBLIC_NUM_DUM NUMBER, “This sums to more than [PUBLIC_NUM_DUM NUMBER] times.”)

SINGLE CODE (I.E., JUST ONE SET FOR ALL STATEMENTS)

DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

PUBLIC_CONTEXT_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Whether had public sector corruption in multiple contexts:

SINGLE CODE

IF 2 OR MORE STATEMENTS AT PUBLIC_CONTEXT WHERE NUMBER>0: Yes
ELSE (INCLUDING IF MISSING FROM PUBLIC_HAD): No

PUBLIC_RECENT

ASK IF EXPERIENCED PUBLIC SECTOR CORRUPTION IN MULTIPLE CONTEXTS (PUBLIC_CONTEXT_DUM CODE 1)

These next questions are specifically about the most recent instance where you either had to, or were asked to, give a gift, favour or extra money, to a UK public official. This is even if nothing was ultimately given.

What administrative process was this for?

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

IF PUBLIC_CONTEXTa>0: To clear imports or exports through customs
IF PUBLIC_CONTEXTb>0: To secure public sector contracts
IF PUBLIC_CONTEXTc>0: Obtaining building permits, planning permission or dealing with building regulations
IF PUBLIC_CONTEXTd>0: For tax affairs or tax compliance
IF PUBLIC_CONTEXTe>0: Anything related to labour regulations, environmental regulations or health and safety
IF PUBLIC_CONTEXTf>0: Any legal proceedings for administrative, civil or labour disputes, or for criminal offences
IF PUBLIC_CONTEXTg>0: Obtaining or renewing licences or other authorisations for performing a business activity
IF PUBLIC_CONTEXTh>0: Applications for any public sector grants or loans
IF PUBLIC_CONTEXTi>0: The other administrative process you mentioned
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

PUBLIC_RECIPIENT

ASK IF EXPERIENCED PUBLIC SECTOR CORRUPTION (PUBLIC_DUM CODE 1)

IF EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF PUBLIC SECTOR CORRUPTION (PUBLIC_NUM_DUM>1) ONLY IN ONE CONTEXT (PUBLIC_CONTEXT_DUM CODE 2): These next questions are specifically about the most recent instance where you either had to, or were asked to, give a gift, favour or extra money, to a UK public official. This is even if nothing was ultimately given.

What kind of public official was involved in this instance?

PROMPT TO CODE IF NECESSARY, WITH BOLD HEADINGS FIRST, THEN SPECIFIC CODES

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

HEADINGS IN BOLD

Politicians

National politicians (i.e., MPs)
Local politicians (for example, mayors or councillors)

Government employees

National government employees (i.e., civil servants)
Local government employees

Judiciary/court employees

Judges or prosecutors
Other court employees

Police or other law enforcement

Police
Any other law enforcement agents

Health or medical authorities

NHS/hospital staff
Any other public sector healthcare or medical authorities

Inspectors

Tax inspectors
Other inspection officials (for example, health and safety, fire, or labour)

Other public officials

Customs officers
Regulators
Land registry or cadastre officers
Social security employees (for example, for benefits or pensions)
Any other public officials (please specify) WRITE IN
Don’t know
Prefer not to say

PUBLIC_TYPE

ASK IF EXPERIENCED PUBLIC SECTOR CORRUPTION (PUBLIC_DUM CODE 1)

As far as you know, what specifically was required or asked for in this instance? This is even if nothing was ultimately given.

PROMPT TO CODE IF NECESSARY, WITH BOLD HEADINGS FIRST, THEN SPECIFIC CODES

PROBE FULLY (I.E., “ANYTHING ELSE?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

HEADINGS IN BOLD

Money

Extra money
Cryptocurrency

Gifts

Clothes or fashion accessories
Food and drink
Hospitality (for example, in hotels or restaurants)
Entertainment or sports tickets
Travel (for example, airline tickets)
Valuables (for example, gold, jewellery, electronics)

Favours

Discounts or waived charges
A job position
Insider information
An exchange with another service or favour

Other

DO NOT READ OUT: Something else (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

PUBLIC_VALUE

ASK IF EXPERIENCED PUBLIC SECTOR CORRUPTION (PUBLIC_DUM CODE 1)

In total, what was the approximate value of any gifts, favours or extra money in this instance?

PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE BEFORE CODING DK

REASSURE ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMISATION BEFORE CODING REF

Please write your answer in £ in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE £1-£9,999,999 (SOFT CHECK IF <£10 OR >£9,999, “Did you say £[ANSWER]?”)
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

PUBLIC_VALUE_DK

ASK IF DON’T KNOW VALUE OF MOST RECENT PUBLIC SECTOR CORRUPTION (PUBLIC_VALUE CODE DK)

Was it approximately…?

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Less than £50
£50 to less than £100
£100 to less than £500
£500 to less than £1,000
£1,000 to less than £5,000
£5,000 to less than £10,000
£10,000 to less than £20,000
£20,000 to less than £50,000
£50,000 to less than £100,000
£100,000 or more
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

PUBLIC_PURPOSE

ASK IF EXPERIENCED PUBLIC SECTOR CORRUPTION (PUBLIC_DUM CODE 1)

As far as you know, what was the purpose of any gifts, favours or extra money in this instance?

PROMPT TO CODE

PROBE FULLY (I.E., “ANYTHING ELSE?”)

INTERVIEWER NOTE: IF “TO SWEETEN THE DEAL” OR SIMILAR, PROMPT TO CODE

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

To avoid a negative outcome (i.e., a decision or judgement not in your favour)
To secure a public sector contract
To clear imports or exports through customs
To obtain building permits or planning permission, or deal with building regulations
To obtain/renew licences or other authorisations for performing a business activity
To make public officials overlook illegal activities, or breaches of regulations or sanctions
To obtain a loan/grant/other funding
To receive useful information (for example, where to go, or who to approach)
To speed up a process (for example, cutting out bureaucracy/red tape)
To maintain good relationships with public officials
DO NOT READ OUT: Another purpose (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: No specific purpose
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

PUBLIC_APPROACH

ASK IF EXPERIENCED PUBLIC SECTOR CORRUPTION (PUBLIC_DUM CODE 1)

As far as you know, what kinds of communication channels were used to discuss the gifts, favours or extra money with your business in this instance?

PROMPT TO CODE

PROBE FULLY (I.E., “ANY OTHERS?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

In person
Via any letters, leaflets or brochures in the post
By calling (mobile or landline)
By SMS text message
On a messaging app (for example, WhatsApp or Messenger)
On social media (for example, LinkedIn, Facebook or X)
By email
DO NOT READ OUT: In another way (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: It was not discussed beforehand – it was given to facilitate the process
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

PUBLIC_IMPACT

ASK IF EXPERIENCED PUBLIC SECTOR CORRUPTION (PUBLIC_DUM CODE 1)

What impacts, positive or negative, did this instance have on your business?

PROMPT TO CODE

PROBE FULLY (“ANYTHING ELSE?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

Any positive impacts

Avoided regulations or legal issues
Improved relationships with customers
Improved relationships with suppliers
Improved relationships with investors
Increased revenue or profits
New business or contracts
Received investment/funding
Reduced our costs
Reduced our debt
Another kind of positive impact (please specify) WRITE IN

Any negative impacts

Complaints from customers or investors
Damaged relationships with customers
Damaged relationships with suppliers
Damaged relationships with investors
Damage to staff morale or wellbeing
Discouraged from carrying out a future business activity
Fines from regulators
Legal costs
Loss of current or future contracts or business
Reduced revenue or profits
Staff being let go or resigning
Another kind of negative impact (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

There was no impact
Don’t know

PUBLIC_RESPONSE

ASK IF EXPERIENCED PUBLIC SECTOR CORRUPTION (PUBLIC_DUM CODE 1)

Did your business take any of the following actions in response to this specific incident?

READ OUT STATEMENTS

Please select one answer for each statement

ASK ON SEPARATE SCREENS IF CATI

ASK AS A COLLAPSIBLE GRID IF WEB

RANDOMISE STATEMENTS BUT KEEP B/C TOGETHER

Reported this instance to anyone outside your business
Conducted an internal audit, review or investigation
Employed a third party to conduct an audit, review or investigation
Sought legal advice or took legal action (i.e., via a solicitor)
Cancelled or did not proceed with a business transaction or activity
Made changes to internal business processes (for example, new policies or controls)
Stopped working with specific customers or suppliers
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Took disciplinary action against employees, including letting staff go
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): New or additional staff training
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Hired additional staff to reduce future risk

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

PUBLIC_NOREPORT

ASK IF PUBLIC SECTOR CORRUPTION NOT REPORTED (PUBLIC_RESPONSEa CODE 2)

What were the reasons for not reporting this instance?

DO NOT PROMPT

PROBE FULLY (“ANYTHING ELSE?”)

INTERVIEWER NOTE: IF “NO POINT/NEED” OR “DEALT WITH INTERNALLY”, PROBE FOR ANY REASONS BEHIND THIS

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

Avoiding disruption (for example, time spent investigating)
Avoiding extra or unnecessary scrutiny
Our business benefitted from it
Our business is not responsible/don’t want to be unfairly implicated
Didn’t accept the offer
Didn’t see it as criminal or illegal
Didn’t want to get other businesses/staff/third parties in trouble
Don’t know who to report to
Impact not significant enough
Insufficient evidence/can’t prove it
No benefit to our business from reporting
Not obliged/required to report this kind of activity
Reporting won’t make a difference
Threatened/coerced by the perpetrators
Too soon/haven’t had enough time
Wasn’t a breach of standards of professional behaviour
Worried about fines (for example, from regulators)
Worried about loss of business
Worried about reputational damage
Another reason (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

Don’t know

PUBLIC_WHEREREPORT

ASK IF PUBLIC SECTOR CORRUPTION REPORTED (PUBLIC_RESPONSEa CODE 1)

Who was this instance reported to?

PROMPT TO CODE IF NECESSARY, WITH BOLD HEADINGS FIRST, THEN SPECIFIC CODES

PROBE FULLY (“ANYONE ELSE?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

HEADINGS IN BOLD

Police or other law enforcement

Police
Action Fraud
Crimestoppers
National Crime Agency (NCA)
Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
Submitted a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR)
Another law enforcement agency (please specify) WRITE IN

Government, regulators or other public sector organisations

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Gambling Commission
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
Trading Standards
Another regulator
Another government or public sector organisation (please specify) WRITE IN

Other non-government organisations

Bank or building society
Credit card company
Customers
Dedicated whistleblowing organisation
Insurance company
Investors
The media/journalists
Professional/trade/industry association
Suppliers
Public declaration (for example, a press release)
Another non-government organisation (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

OVERSEAS_PRIVATE

ASK IF INTERNATIONAL TRADER (TRADER CODE 1)

These next questions are about any times when you have conducted business outside the UK.

In the last 12 months, how many times, if any, did your business have to give, or was it asked to give, another business outside the UK a gift, favour, or extra money other than the official fee? This is specifically to secure a business transaction, or to get others to perform a service.

ADD IF NECESSARY: If you had to do this several times with the same business, for the same purpose, please count each time.

REASSURE ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMISATION BEFORE CODING REF

Please write a number in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE 0-999 (SOFT CHECK IF>9, “Did you say [ANSWER] times?”)
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

OVERSEAS_PUBLIC

ASK IF INTERNATIONAL TRADER (TRADER CODE 1)

And in the last 12 months, how many times, if any, did your business have to give, or was it asked to give, a non-UK public official a gift, favour, or extra money other than the official fee?

ADD IF NECESSARY: If you had to do this several times with the same official, for the same purpose, please count each time.

REASSURE ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMISATION BEFORE CODING REF

Please write a number in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE 0-999 (SOFT CHECK IF>9, “Did you say [ANSWER] times?”)
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

OVERSEAS_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Whether had overseas corruption:

SINGLE CODE

IF OVERSEAS_PRIVATE>0 OR OVERSEAS_PUBLIC>0: Yes
ELSE (INCLUDING IF MISSING FROM OVERSEAS_PRIVATE OR OVERSEAS_PUBLIC): No

OVERSEAS_NUM_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Number of instances of overseas corruption (among those experiencing any):

IF EXPERIENCED ATTEMPTED OVERSEAS CORRUPTION (OVERSEAS_DUM CODE 1): [OVERSEAS_PRIVATE + OVERSEAS_PUBLIC], COUNTING DK AS 0
ELSE: MISSING

OVERSEAS_COUNTRY

ASK IF EXPERIENCED OVERSEAS CORRUPTION (OVERSEAS_DUM CODE 1)

IF OVERSEAS_NUM_DUM>1: These next questions are specifically about the most recent instance where you either had to, or were asked to give, a gift, favour, or extra money, to either a non-UK business or a non-UK public official. This is even if nothing was ultimately given.

In this instance, which country was the private sector business or public official based in?

DO NOT PROMPT

Please write your answer in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN (MAX 30 CHARACTERS)
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

OVERSEAS_WHICH

ASK IF EXPERIENCED OVERSEAS CORRUPTION (OVERSEAS_DUM CODE 1)

Did this instance involve a non-UK private business, or a non-UK public official?

SINGLE CODE

Non-UK private business
Non-UK public official
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

OVERSEAS_RECIPIENT

ASK IF MOST RECENTLY EXPERIENCED OVERSEAS CORRUPTION INVOLVING A NON-UK PUBLIC OFFICIAL (OVERSEAS_WHICH CODE 2)

What kind of public official was involved in this instance?

PROMPT TO CODE IF NECESSARY, WITH BOLD HEADINGS FIRST, THEN SPECIFIC CODES

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

HEADINGS IN BOLD

Politicians

National politicians (i.e., MPs)
Local politicians (for example, mayors or councillors)

Government employees

National government employees (i.e., civil servants)
Local government employees

Judiciary/court employees

Judges or prosecutors
Other court employees

Police or other law enforcement

Police
Any other law enforcement agents

Health authorities

Hospital staff
Any other public sector healthcare or medical authorities

Inspectors

Tax inspectors
Other inspection officials (for example, health and safety, fire, or labour)

Other public officials

Customs officers
Regulators
Land registry or cadastre officers
Social security employees (for example, for benefits or pensions)
Any other public officials (please specify) WRITE IN
Don’t know
Prefer not to say

OVERSEAS_TYPE

ASK IF EXPERIENCED OVERSEAS CORRUPTION (OVERSEAS_DUM CODE 1)

As far as you know, what specifically was required or asked for in this instance? This is even if nothing was ultimately given.

PROMPT TO CODE IF NECESSARY, WITH BOLD HEADINGS FIRST, THEN SPECIFIC CODES

PROBE FULLY (I.E., “ANYTHING ELSE?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

HEADINGS IN BOLD

Money

Extra money
Cryptocurrency

Gift(s)

Clothes or fashion accessories
Food and drink
Hospitality (for example, in hotels or restaurants)
Entertainment or sports tickets
Travel (for example, airline tickets)
Valuables (for example, gold, jewellery, electronics)

Favour(s)

Discounts or waived charges
A job position
Insider information
An exchange with another service or favour

Other

DO NOT READ OUT: Something else (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

OVERSEAS_VALUE

ASK IF EXPERIENCED OVERSEAS CORRUPTION (OVERSEAS_DUM CODE 1)

In total, what was the approximate value of gifts, favours or extra money in this instance?

PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE BEFORE CODING DK

REASSURE ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMISATION BEFORE CODING REF

Please write your answer in £ in the box below

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE £1-£9,999,999 (SOFT CHECK IF <£10 OR >£9,999, “Did you say £[ANSWER]?”)
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

OVERSEAS_VALUE_DK

ASK IF DON’T KNOW VALUE OF MOST RECENT OVERSEAS CORRUPTION (OVERSEAS_VALUE CODE DK)

Was it approximately…?

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Less than £50
£50 to less than £100
£100 to less than £500
£500 to less than £1,000
£1,000 to less than £5,000
£5,000 to less than £10,000
£10,000 to less than £20,000
£20,000 to less than £50,000
£50,000 to less than £100,000
£100,000 or more
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

OVERSEAS_PURPOSE

ASK IF EXPERIENCED OVERSEAS CORRUPTION (OVERSEAS_DUM CODE 1)

As far as you know, what was the purpose of any gifts, favours or extra money in this instance?

PROMPT TO CODE

PROBE FULLY (I.E., “ANYTHING ELSE?”)

INTERVIEWER NOTE: IF “TO SWEETEN THE DEAL” OR SIMILAR, PROMPT TO CODE

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

IF MOST RECENTLY EXPERIENCED OVERSEAS PRIVATE SECTOR CORRUPTION (OVERSEAS_WHICH CODE 1) OR IF NOT CLEAR (OVERSEAS_WHICH DK OR REF):

To secure a private sector contract
To facilitate a public sector deal/transaction
To secure better prices for goods or services
To secure a larger order/amount of goods or services
To receive special information (for example, insider knowledge on procedures or prices)
To obtain a loan/grant/other funding
To obtain insurance
To maintain good relationships with business contacts

IF MOST RECENTLY EXPERIENCED OVERSEAS PUBLIC SECTOR CORRUPTION (OVERSEAS_WHICH CODE 2) OR IF NOT CLEAR (OVERSEAS_WHICH DK OR REF):

To avoid a negative outcome (i.e., a decision or judgement not in your favour)
To win a public sector contract
To clear imports or exports through customs
To obtain building permits or planning permission, or deal with building regulations
To obtain/renew licences or other authorisations for performing a business activity
To make public officials overlook illegal activities, or breaches of regulations or sanctions
To obtain a loan/grant/other funding
To receive useful information (for example, where to go, or who to approach)
To speed up a process (for example, cutting out bureaucracy/red tape)
To maintain good relationships with public officials

ALL:

DO NOT READ OUT: Another purpose (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: No specific purpose
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

OVERSEAS_APPROACH

ASK IF EXPERIENCED OVERSEAS CORRUPTION (OVERSEAS_DUM CODE 1)

As far as you know, what kinds of communication channels were used to discuss the gifts, favours or extra money with your business in this instance?

PROMPT TO CODE

PROBE FULLY (I.E., “ANY OTHERS?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

In person
Via any letters, leaflets or brochures in the post
By calling (mobile or landline)
By SMS text message
On a messaging app (for example, WhatsApp or Messenger)
On social media (for example, LinkedIn, Facebook or X)
By email
DO NOT READ OUT: In another way (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: It was not discussed beforehand – it was given to facilitate the process
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

OVERSEAS_IMPACT

ASK IF EXPERIENCED OVERSEAS CORRUPTION (OVERSEAS_DUM CODE 1)

What impacts, positive or negative, did this instance have on your business?

PROMPT TO CODE

PROBE FULLY (“ANYTHING ELSE?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

Any positive impacts

Avoided regulations or legal issues
Improved relationships with customers
Improved relationships with suppliers
Improved relationships with investors
Increased revenue or profits
New business or contracts
Received investment/funding
Reduced our costs
Reduced our debt
Another kind of positive impact (please specify) WRITE IN

Any negative impacts

Complaints from customers or investors
Damaged relationships with customers
Damaged relationships with suppliers
Damaged relationships with investors
Damage to staff morale or wellbeing
Discouraged from carrying out a future business activity
Fines from regulators
Legal costs
Loss of current or future contracts or business
Reduced revenue or profits
Staff being let go or resigning
Another kind of negative impact (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

There was no impact
Don’t know

OVERSEAS_RESPONSE

ASK IF EXPERIENCED OVERSEAS CORRUPTION (OVERSEAS_DUM CODE 1)

Did your business take any of the following actions in response to this specific incident?

READ OUT STATEMENTS

Please select one answer for each statement

ASK ON SEPARATE SCREENS IF CATI

ASK AS A COLLAPSIBLE GRID IF WEB

RANDOMISE STATEMENTS BUT KEEP B/C TOGETHER

Reported this instance to anyone outside your business
Conducted an internal audit, review or investigation
Employed a third party to conduct an audit, review or investigation
Sought legal advice or took legal action (i.e., via a solicitor)
Cancelled or did not proceed with a business transaction or activity
Made changes to internal business processes (for example, new policies or controls)
Stopped working with specific customers or suppliers
Stopped doing business in a specific country
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Took disciplinary action against employees, including letting staff go
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): New or additional staff training
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Hired additional staff to reduce future risk

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

OVERSEAS_NOREPORT

ASK IF OVERSEAS CORRUPTION NOT REPORTED (OVERSEAS_RESPONSEa CODE 2)

What were the reasons for not reporting this instance?

DO NOT PROMPT

PROBE FULLY (“ANYTHING ELSE?”)

INTERVIEWER NOTE: IF “NO POINT/NEED” OR “DEALT WITH INTERNALLY”, PROBE FOR ANY REASONS BEHIND THIS

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

Avoiding disruption (for example, time spent investigating)
Avoiding extra or unnecessary scrutiny
Our business benefitted from it
Our business is not responsible/don’t want to be unfairly implicated
Didn’t accept the offer
Didn’t see it as criminal or illegal
Didn’t want to get other businesses/staff/third parties in trouble
Don’t know who to report to
Impact not significant enough
Insufficient evidence/can’t prove it
No benefit to our business from reporting
Not obliged/required to report this kind of activity
Reporting won’t make a difference
Threatened/coerced by the perpetrators
Too soon/haven’t had enough time
Wasn’t a breach of standards of professional behaviour
Worried about fines (for example, from regulators)
Worried about loss of business
Worried about reputational damage
Another reason (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

Don’t know

OVERSEAS_WHEREREPORT

ASK IF OVERSEAS CORRUPTION REPORTED (OVERSEAS_RESPONSEa CODE 1)

Who was this instance reported to?

PROMPT TO CODE IF NECESSARY, WITH BOLD HEADINGS FIRST, THEN SPECIFIC CODES

PROBE FULLY (“ANYONE ELSE?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

HEADINGS IN BOLD

Police or other law enforcement

Police in the UK
Action Fraud
Crimestoppers
National Crime Agency (NCA)
Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
Submitted a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR)
Another UK law enforcement agency (please specify) WRITE IN
Law enforcement agency in another country

Government, regulators or other public sector organisations

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Gambling Commission
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
Trading Standards
Another regulator
Another government or public sector organisation (please specify) WRITE IN

Other non-government organisations

Bank or building society
Credit card company
Customers
Dedicated whistleblowing organisation
Insurance company
Investors
The media/journalists
Professional/trade/industry association
Suppliers
Public declaration (for example, a press release)
Another non-government organisation (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

CORRUPTION_RISK

ASK RANDOM TWO-THIRDS OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS C-F)

Corruption is an abuse of entrusted power for private benefit that usually breaches laws, regulations, or standards of integrity or professional behaviour. Gifts, favours, or extra money other than an official fee, exchanged in order to secure a business transaction, or acquire a service, would be examples of corruption.

How at risk, if at all, would you say your business is from corruption? Is it…?

READ OUT

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

REVERSE LIST

Very at risk
Fairly at risk
Not very at risk
Not at all at risk
DO NOT READ OUT: Not applicable to our business
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

CORRUPTION_SECTOR

ASK RANDOM TWO-THIRDS OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS C-F)

As far as you know, how prevalent, if at all, is the offering of gifts, favours or extra money is in your business sector?

Is it…?

READ OUT

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

REVERSE LIST

Very prevalent
Fairly prevalent
Not very prevalent
Not at all prevalent
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

CORRUPTION_UKLOSS

ASK RANDOM TWO-THIRDS OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS C-F)

In the last 12 months, how likely is it, if at all, that your business has lost a business opportunity in the UK, to a competitor who offered a gift, favour or extra money?

Is it…?

READ OUT

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

REVERSE LIST

Very likely
Fairly likely
Not very likely
Not at all likely
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

CORRUPTION_OVERSEASLOSS

ASK IF INTERNATIONAL TRADER (TRADER CODE 1)

In the last 12 months, how likely is it, if at all, that your business has lost a business opportunity outside the UK, to a competitor who offered a gift, favour or extra money?

Is it…?

READ OUT

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

REVERSE LIST

Very likely
Fairly likely
Not very likely
Not at all likely
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

CORRUPTION_CANCELLED

ASK RANDOM TWO-THIRDS OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS C-F)

In the last 12 months, have you put on hold or cancelled any potential business activities due to concerns about corruption?

ADD IF NECESSARY: As a reminder, corruption is an abuse of entrusted power for private benefit that usually breaches laws, regulations, or standards of integrity or professional behaviour.

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

CORRUPTION_STAFF

ASK RANDOM TWO-THIRDS OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS C-F)

In the last 12 months, have you investigated or had concerns about an employee personally receiving an undeclared gift, favour or extra money from an external business to secure a transaction?

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

CORRUPTION_ADEQUATE

ASK RANDOM TWO-THIRDS OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS C-F)

Do you think your business currently has adequate processes in place to minimise the risk of corruption?

ADD IF NECESSARY: As a reminder, corruption is an abuse of entrusted power for private benefit that usually breaches laws, regulations, or standards of integrity or professional behaviour.

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

CORRUPTION_MANAGE

ASK RANDOM TWO-THIRDS OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS C-F)

Across the last 12 months, has your business done, or had in place, any of the following in order to manage the risks of corruption? These things could be handled internally with your business or contracted to a third party. For this question, we have included certain measures to do with bribery, which is a type of corruption.

If you think any of these things are not applicable to your business, please say so.

READ OUT STATEMENTS

Please select one answer for each statement

ASK ON SEPARATE SCREENS IF CATI

ASK AS A COLLAPSIBLE GRID IF WEB

RANDOMISE STATEMENTS BUT KEEP A/B TOGETHER

IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Any anti-bribery or anti-corruption training or awareness raising activities for staff
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Any anti-bribery or anti-corruption training or awareness raising activities for business partners or contractors
A risk assessment covering bribery
Any mechanism or process to record or track suspected bribery or corruption incidents, for example, an incident log
An internal log or register of gifts or hospitality
Accreditation under an anti-bribery standard (for example, ISO 37001)
Anti-bribery or anti-corruption clauses in contracts
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): A staff member whose job description includes responsibility for anti-bribery or anti-corruption measures
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): A written anti-bribery or anti-corruption policy
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): A Code of Conduct for staff which specifically prohibits bribery
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): A whistleblowing policy

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No/not applicable
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

CORRUPTION_BARRIER

ASK IF NO ANTI-CORRUPTION MEASURES MENTIONED (CORRUPTION_MANAGEa-k ALL CODES 2-4)

You said that your business does not have any of the anti-corruption measures just mentioned. What are your reasons for not having any of these measures in place, or feeling they are not applicable to your business?

DO NOT PROMPT

PROBE FULLY (“ANYTHING ELSE?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

Business too small to warrant these measures
Cost of measures is too high
Have alternative measures in place
Not a business priority
Not the kind of business at risk of corruption
Not thought about it before
Would not know how to implement these measures
Another reason (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

Don’t know

SHOWSCREEN_MLNUM

SHOW IF TELEPHONE (MODETYPE = CATI)

Just so you know, the next questions require you to give a number, rather than a yes or no response.

INTERVIEWER NOTE: IF RESPONDENT SAYS “NO”, ASSUME THEY MEAN “zero”

ML_TYPES

ASK ALL

These questions are about instances involving money that might be derived from criminal activity. Just as a reminder, all questions continue to be confidential and anonymous, with the findings used for research purposes only.

In the last 12 months, how many times, if at all, has your business experienced, or been asked to do, any of the following, where you knew or suspected that the money was derived from criminal activity? This could be something you observed among staff, customers, suppliers or other businesses you work with, even if these activities were prevented.

READ OUT STATEMENTS

PROBE FOR BEST ESTIMATE BEFORE CODING DK

REASSURE ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMISATION BEFORE CODING REF

Please write a number in the box for each statement

ASK ON SEPARATE SCREENS IF CATI OR WEB

RANDOMISE STATEMENTS BUT KEEP A/B/C TOGETHER

Use of cryptocurrency for transactions, to hide the source of funds
Purchasing of high-value assets (for example, property or art) using funds other than cryptocurrency with a potentially criminal origin
Purchasing of other goods, specifically using cash (i.e., banknotes) with a potentially criminal origin
Deposits or financial transfers being split into multiple smaller transactions, to make them less noticeable
Manipulation of invoices, receipts or credit notes, to hide the true source of payments
A business paying employees in cash, to avoid scrutiny
Physical transportation of large amounts of cash to another location, where the business purpose was not clear to you
Movement of money into or out of one or more companies, trusts or partnerships, where the business purpose was not clear to you
Use of offshore accounts to hide income or assets
Others offering to invest in your business using funds with a potentially criminal origin

NOT PART OF RANDOMISATION

Any other times where you knew or suspected staff, customers, suppliers or other businesses you work with, attempting to use money derived from criminal activity

SINGLE CODE

WRITE IN RANGE 0-99,999 (SOFT CHECK IF>9, “Did you say [ANSWER] times?”)
DO NOT READ OUT: Not applicable to my business
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

ML_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Whether experienced money laundering:

SINGLE CODE

IF ONLY ONE ML_TYPESa-k>0: One type of money laundering experienced
IF MORE THAN ONE ML_TYPESa-k>0: Multiple types of money laundering experienced
ELSE: No money laundering experienced

ML_NUM_DUM

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Number of instances of money laundering (among those experiencing any):

IF EXPERIENCED MONEY LAUNDERING (ML_DUM CODE 1-2): SUM ALL RESPONSES AT ML_TYPESa-k, COUNTING DK AND REF AS 0
ELSE: MISSING

ML_CHECK

ASK IF EXPERIENCED MONEY LAUNDERING (ML_DUM CODES 1-2)

IF EXPERIENCED MONEY LAUNDERING ONCE (ML_NUM_DUM=1): Just to check, for the one instance you mentioned, was this where you knew or suspected that the money being moved or used for payment was derived from criminal activity?

IF EXPERIENCED MONEY LAUNDERING MORE THAN ONCE (ML_NUM_DUM>1): You mentioned [ML_NUM_DUM NUMBER] instances in total. Just to check, were these all instances where you knew or suspected that the money being moved or used for payment was derived from criminal activity?

Yes
No RETURN TO ML_TYPES

ML_OTHER

ASK IF EXPERIENCED OTHER MONEY LAUNDERING (ML_TYPESk CODE 1) OR EXPERIENCED ONLY ONE TYPE OF MONEY LAUNDERING (ML_DUM CODE 1)

In a few words, what was the nature of the instance or instances you just mentioned?

DO NOT PROMPT

Please write your answer in the box below

WRITE IN MAX 150 CHARACTERS
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

ML_RECENT

ASK IF EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TYPES OF MONEY LAUNDERING (ML_DUM CODE 2)

Of all the instances just mentioned, which was the one you experienced or were asked to do most recently? Was it…

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

IF ML_TYPESa≥1: Use of cryptocurrency for transactions
IF ML_TYPESb≥1: Purchasing of high-value assets (for example, property or art)
IF ML_TYPESc≥1: Purchasing of other goods using cash
IF ML_TYPESd≥1: Deposits or financial transfers being split into multiple smaller transactions
IF ML_TYPESe≥1: Manipulation of invoices, receipts or credit notes
IF ML_TYPESf≥1: A business paying employees in cash
IF ML_TYPESg≥1: Physical transportation of large amounts of cash to another location
IF ML_TYPESh≥1: Movement of money into or out of one or more companies, trusts or partnerships
IF ML_TYPESi≥1: Use of offshore accounts
IF ML_TYPESj≥1: Others offering to invest in your business
IF ML_TYPESk≥1: Any other times where you knew of or suspected attempts to use money derived from criminal activity
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

ML_DUM_2

DUMMY VARIABLE NOT ASKED

Type of money laundering experienced most recently (among those experiencing any):

IF EXPERIENCED ONLY ONE TYPE OF MONEY LAUNDERING (ML_DUM CODE 1), THEN CODE ANSWER FROM THE ONE STATEMENT WHERE ML_TYPES>0
IF EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TYPES OF MONEY LAUNDERING (ML_DUM CODE 2), THEN TAKE ANSWER FROM ML_RECENT
ELSE MISSING

ML_DETECTION

ASK IF CAN RECALL MOST RECENT TYPE OF MONEY LAUNDERING (ML_DUM2 CODES 1-11)

These next questions are specifically about the most recent time you experienced or were asked to do something, where you knew or suspected that money was derived from criminal activity.

How did your business become aware of this?

DO NOT PROMPT

PROBE FULLY (I.E., “ANYWHERE ELSE?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

HEADINGS IN BOLD

Through internal business process or paperwork

An internal audit, review or investigation
Detected by software or automated monitoring processes
Detected by routine manual monitoring of purchases or transactions
Vetting/identity checks of customers or suppliers

Through owner or staff

IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Reported/discovered by staff or myself ad-hoc
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Reported via an internal whistleblowing process

Externally (from outside your business)

An audit, review or investigation by a third party
A bank or insurance provider alerted you
A regulator alerted you
Reported by a customer
Reported by a supplier
Reported via an external whistleblowing process (for example, a hotline)

Other

We asked directly about the source of the funds
In another way (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

Don’t know
Prefer not to say

ML_PERPETRATOR

ASK IF CAN RECALL MOST RECENT TYPE OF MONEY LAUNDERING (ML_DUM2 CODES 1-11)

As far as you know, were any of the following individuals or organisations directly involved in facilitating or carrying out this activity?

READ OUT STATEMENTS

Please select one answer for each statement

ASK AS A GRID (NOT COLLAPSIBLE) IF CATI OR WEB

RANDOMISE STATEMENTS

A current, former or prospective customer
A current, former or prospective supplier or contractor
A current or former employee

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

ML_CERTAINTY

ASK IF CAN RECALL MOST RECENT TYPE OF MONEY LAUNDERING (ML_DUM2 CODES 1-11)

Which of the following best describes how certain you are that the money involved in this case was derived from criminal activity?

READ OUT

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

REVERSE LIST

We have indisputable evidence proving it
We have strong evidence to suggest it, but cannot prove it
We have some evidence to suspect it, but cannot be sure
We do not have specific evidence, but have suspicions
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

ML_RESPONSE

ASK IF CAN RECALL MOST RECENT TYPE OF MONEY LAUNDERING (ML_DUM2 CODES 1-11)

Did your business take any of the following actions in response to this specific activity?

READ OUT STATEMENTS

Please select one answer for each statement

ASK ON SEPARATE SCREENS IF CATI

ASK AS A COLLAPSIBLE GRID IF WEB

RANDOMISE STATEMENTS BUT KEEP A/B, C/D AND E/F TOGETHER

Reported this instance to anyone outside your business
Reported this instance internally to someone in a compliance or risk-related role
Conducted an internal audit, review or investigation
Employed a third party to conduct an audit, review or investigation
Stopped working with specific customers or suppliers
Reviewed relationships with specific customers or suppliers, but continued doing business with them
Sought legal advice or took legal action (i.e., via a solicitor)
Cancelled or did not proceed with a business transaction or activity
Made changes to internal business processes (for example, new policies or controls)
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Took disciplinary action against employees, including letting staff go
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): New or additional staff training
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Hired additional staff to reduce future risk

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

ML_NOREPORT

ASK IF MONEY LAUNDERING NOT REPORTED (ML_RESPONSEa CODE 2)

What were the reasons for not reporting this activity to anyone outside your business?

DO NOT PROMPT

PROBE FULLY (“ANYTHING ELSE?”)

INTERVIEWER NOTE: IF “NO POINT/NEED” OR “DEALT WITH INTERNALLY”, PROBE FOR ANY REASONS BEHIND THIS

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

Avoiding disruption (for example, time spent investigating)
Avoiding extra or unnecessary scrutiny
Our business benefitted from it
Our business is not responsible/don’t want to be unfairly implicated
Didn’t accept the offer
Didn’t see it as criminal or illegal
Didn’t want to get other businesses/staff/third parties in trouble
Don’t know who to report to
Impact not significant enough
Insufficient evidence/can’t prove it
No benefit to our business from reporting
Not obliged/required to report this kind of activity
Reporting won’t make a difference
Threatened/coerced by the perpetrators
Too soon/haven’t had enough time
Wasn’t a breach of standards of professional behaviour
Worried about fines (for example, from regulators)
Worried about loss of business
Worried about reputational damage
Another reason (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

Don’t know

ML_WHEREREPORT

ASK IF MONEY LAUNDERING REPORTED (ML_RESPONSEa CODE 1)

Who was this activity reported to outside your business?

PROMPT TO CODE IF NECESSARY, WITH BOLD HEADINGS FIRST, THEN SPECIFIC CODES

PROBE FULLY (“ANYONE ELSE?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

HEADINGS IN BOLD

Police or other law enforcement

Police
Action Fraud
Crimestoppers
National Crime Agency (NCA)
Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
Submitted a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR)
Another law enforcement agency (please specify) WRITE IN

Government, regulators or other public sector organisations

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Gambling Commission
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Fraud Hotline
Another part of HMRC
Another government or public sector organisation (please specify) WRITE IN

Specific anti-money laundering (AML) supervisors outside the public sector

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)
Association of International Accountants (AIA)
Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT)
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx)
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT)
Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC)
Faculty of Advocates
Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury
General Council of the Bar Great Britain/Northern Ireland
Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers (IAB)
Insolvency Practitioners Association (IPA)
Institute of Certified Bookkeepers
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)/Ireland (ICAI)/Scotland (ICAS)
Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA)
Law Society of Northern Ireland/Scotland
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in England and Wales

Other non-government organisations

Bank or building society
Credit card company
Customers
Dedicated whistleblowing organisation
Insurance company
Investors
Professional/trade/industry association
Suppliers
Public declaration (for example, a press release)
Another non-government organisation (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

ML_SECTOR

ASK ALL

Under Money Laundering Regulations, certain types of businesses must register with an anti-money laundering scheme and be monitored by a relevant supervisory authority. This is sometimes called AML supervision.

Is your business registered with an anti-money laundering scheme?

ADD IF NECESSARY:

This applies to:

financial and credit businesses
independent legal professionals
accountants, tax advisers, auditors and insolvency practitioners
trust and company service providers
estate agents and some letting agents
casinos
high value dealers, including some art dealers.

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

ML_REGULATOR

ASK IF MONEY LAUNDERING REPORTED (ML_RESPONSEa CODE 1) AND IN A REGULATED SECTOR (ML_SECTOR CODE 1)

Thinking again about the most recent instance where you knew or suspected that the money was derived from criminal activity, did you specifically report this instance to the anti-money laundering supervisor for your sector?

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

ML_RISK

ASK RANDOM TWO-THIRDS OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS C-F)

Money laundering is where individuals or organisations attempt to hide money derived from crime by converting it into a legitimate source. How at risk, if at all, would you say your business is when it comes to money laundering? Is it…?

READ OUT

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

REVERSE LIST

Very at risk
Fairly at risk
Not very at risk
Not at all at risk
DO NOT READ OUT: Not applicable to my business
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

ML_LOW

ASK IF THEY FEEL NOT VERY OR NOT AT ALL AT RISK FROM MONEY LAUNDERING (ML_RISK CODES 3-4)

What makes you say that your business is not very or not at all at risk when it comes to money laundering?

DO NOT PROMPT

PROBE FULLY (“ANYTHING ELSE?”)

Please select all that apply

MULTICODE

Type of business

Business is too small to be targeted
Don’t deal in cash, or large amounts of cash
Our sector is not prone to money laundering
Our customers are reputable/low-risk/trustworthy
Our suppliers are reputable/low-risk/trustworthy
Transactions are typically small/low-value

Impact does not feel significant enough

Can’t imagine this happening
Has never been a problem before
Potential financial loss is low
Unlikely to affect business continuity
Unlikely to affect our relationship with our customers

Processes or controls in place

Strong processes/controls in place
We are insured against financial losses
We verify identities of customers
We verify identities of suppliers

Other

Another reason (please specify) WRITE IN

SINGLE CODE

Don’t know

ML_MANAGE

ASK RANDOM TWO-THIRDS OF SAMPLE (SEGMENTS C-F)

Does your business have any of the following processes in place, in order to manage the risks of money laundering? These things could be handled internally with your business or contracted to a third party, unless otherwise stated. If you think they are not applicable to your business, please say so.

READ OUT STATEMENTS

INTERVIEWER NOTE: NO NEED TO PROBE “NO” VS. “NOT APPLICABLE” – JUST TAKE THEIR INITIAL RESPONSE

Please select one answer for each statement

ASK ON SEPARATE SCREENS IF CATI

ASK AS A COLLAPSIBLE GRID IF WEB

RANDOMISE STATEMENTS BUT KEEP A/B TOGETHER

A regular (for example, annual) financial audit or review process, either internal or external
A formal process to verify the identity of customers, suppliers, or contractors, and the nature of their business
Checks to verify the source of any money from customers, for example, by getting a written statement or proof of business operations from them
Any digital software deployed directly within your business, to monitor unusual payments or patterns of activity
A money laundering-related risk assessment process
Any regular processes for data sharing or collaboration with other organisations to prevent money laundering
Any mechanism or process to record or track suspected money laundering incidents, for example, an incident log
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Any staff training or awareness raising activities that specifically cover money laundering
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): A staff member whose job description includes monitoring or investigating money laundering risks
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): A written anti-money laundering policy or Suspicious Activity Reporting process for staff to follow

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Not applicable to my business
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

SANCTIONS_AWARE

ASK ALL

Financial sanctions are measures that limit the provision of financial services, and restrict access to financial markets, funds and economic resources, to the sanctioned person or business. They can be applied on a geographic basis or in relation to a particular issue, such as terrorism.

Which of the following best represents your business’s awareness, before this survey, of the current financial sanctions regime implemented by the UK government?

READ OUT

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Heard of it and know how it affects our business
Heard of it but know little or nothing about how it affects our business
Not heard of it
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

SANCTIONS_RISK

ASK IF AWARE OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS (SANCTIONS_AWARE CODE 1)

It is possible for businesses to mistakenly breach financial sanctions, for example if their staff are not aware of the current financial sanctions regime or unknowingly provide goods or services to a sanctioned individual or business.

How at risk, if at all, would you say your business is from a breach of financial sanctions? Is it…?

If you think this is not applicable to your business, please say so.

ADD IF NECESSARY: Complying with financial sanctions may, for example, involve freezing the funds or assets of sanctioned individuals or businesses, and restricting their access to them. Financial sanctions may be breached when these funds or assets remain available to sanctioned individuals or businesses, when their access should have been restricted.

READ OUT

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

REVERSE LIST

Very at risk
Fairly at risk
Not very at risk
Not at all at risk
DO NOT READ OUT: Not applicable to my business
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

SANCTIONS_MANAGE

ASK IF AWARE OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS (SANCTIONS_AWARE CODE 1) AND DO NOT THINK THEY ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THEIR BUSINESS (SANCTIONS_RISK NOT CODE 5)

Does your business have any of the following processes in place, in order to manage the risks of a breach of financial sanctions? These things could be handled internally with your business or contracted to a third party.

READ OUT STATEMENTS

Please select one answer for each statement

ASK ON SEPARATE SCREENS IF CATI

ASK AS A COLLAPSIBLE GRID IF WEB

RANDOMISE STATEMENTS BUT KEEP A/B/C TOGETHER

A formal process to consult the UK Sanctions List when onboarding new customers and suppliers
A formal process to screen existing customers and suppliers against the UK Sanctions List
A formal process to screen any transactions your business makes against the UK Sanctions List
A formal process to verify the identity of customers, suppliers, or contractors, and the nature of their business
A financial sanctions-related risk assessment process
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): Any staff training or awareness raising activities that specifically cover the current financial sanctions regime
IF HAVE EMPLOYEES (SIZEDUM CODES 2-5): A written financial sanctions policy for staff to follow

NOT PART OF RANDOMISATION

Any other processes to manage the risks of a breach of financial sanctions

SINGLE CODE

Yes
No
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

SANCTIONS_EXTERNAL

ASK IF AWARE OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS (SANCTIONS_AWARE CODE 1) AND DO NOT THINK THEY ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THEIR BUSINESS (SANCTIONS_RISK NOT CODE 5)

Do you agree, disagree, or neither agree nor disagree with the following statement about due diligence checks for financial sanctions?

Our business typically relies on others, such as banks, doing their own due diligence checks to ensure our customers are suitable for doing business with.

DO NOT PROMPT

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Agree
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

SANCTIONS_CONFIDENCE

ASK IF UNDERTAKEN ANY MEASURES (ANY SANCTIONS_MANAGEa-h CODE 1) OR RELY ON OTHERS FOR DUE DILIGENCE (SANCTIONS_EXTERNAL CODE 1)

How confident, if at all, are you that all of the measures your business has taken are effective in preventing a breach of financial sanctions? Are you…?

READ OUT

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

REVERSE LIST

Very confident
Fairly confident
Not very confident
Not at all confident
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know

TURNOVER

ASK ALL

These final questions are to help us understand how the answers to this survey vary for different types of businesses.

Which of the following best represents the total turnover of your UK business in your last financial year?

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Under £85,000
£85,000 to under £250,000
£250,000 to under £500,000
£500,000 to under £1 million
£1 million to under £5 million
£5 million to under £10 million
£10 million to under £25 million
£25 million or more
DO NOT READ OUT: Started trading less than 12 months ago
DO NOT READ OUT: Don’t know
DO NOT READ OUT: Prefer not to say

JOBROLE

ASK ALL

What is your job role?

PROMPT TO CODE

Please select one answer

SINGLE CODE

Business owner/founder
Chief Executive/Managing Director
Any finance-related job role, for example, Finance Director
Any compliance-related job role, for example, Compliance Officer
Any legal-related job role, for example, Legal Counsel
Any operations role, for example, Chief Operating Officer
Any other senior management role, for example, Director
Any other role

RECON

ASK ALL

The Home Office has asked Ipsos to carry out follow-up research on a similar topic with businesses like yours within the next 24 months, to better understand the issues you raised in this survey. Would you be happy to be invited? You don’t have to agree to taking part – just indicate a willingness to be invited.

If you agree, Ipsos will securely hold your contact details and survey responses for this purpose.

SINGLE CODE

Yes SCRIPT TO COLLECT CONTACT NAME, CONTACT JOB TITLE, EMAIL AND TELEPHONE IN 4 TEXT BOXES
No

SHOWSCREEN_END

SHOW ALL

Thank you for taking the time to participate in this study. You can access the privacy notice online at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/economic-crime-survey-2024. This explains the purposes for processing your personal data, as well as your rights under data protection regulations to:

access your personal data
withdraw consent
object to processing of your personal data
and other required information.

CLOSE SURVEY

1.2 Full list of split-sampled questions

Questions asked to a random half of the sample:

FRAUD_STOPPED
FRAUD_IMPACT
FRAUD_DIRECT / FRAUD_DIRECT_DK
FRAUD_RECOVER
FRAUD_RECOVER_VALUE / FRAUD_RECOVER_VALUE_DK
FRAUD_AFTERMATH / FRAUD_AFTERMATH_DK
FRAUD_STAFF / FRAUD_STAFF_DK
FRAUD_INDIRECT / FRAUD_INDIRECT_DK
FRAUD_ZERO_DUM
FRAUD_LOSS
FRAUD_LOSS_DUM
FRAUD_RECENT
FRAUD_RECENTDUM
FRAUD_RECENTLOSS
FRAUD_RECENTLOSS_DUM
FRAUD_DETECTION
FRAUD_PERPETRATOR
FRAUD_COMM
FRAUD_NATURE
FRAUD_CYBER
FRAUD_RESPONSE
FRAUD_NOREPORT
FRAUD_WHEREREPORT
FRAUD_RISK
FRAUD_MANAGE
FRAUD_COSTTRAIN / FRAUD_ COSTTRAIN_DK
FRAUD_COSTSOFT / FRAUD_ COSTSOFT_DK
FRAUD_COSTRISK / FRAUD_ COSTRISK_DK
FRAUD_COSTINS / FRAUD_ COSTINS_DK
FRAUD_COSTSTAFF / FRAUD_ COSTSTAFF_DK
Questions asked to a random two-thirds of the sample:
CORRUPTION_RISK
CORRUPTION_SECTOR
CORRUPTION_UKLOSS
CORRUPTION_CANCELLED
CORRUPTION_STAFF
CORRUPTION_ADEQUATE
CORRUPTION_MANAGE
CORRUPTION_BARRIER
ML_RISK
ML_LOW
ML_MANAGE

Question 2

2. Qualitative topic guides

Accepted Answer

2.1 Corruption topic guide

Introduction – 2 to 3 minutes

Introduce yourself and Ipsos: My name is MODERATOR TO ADD NAME and I am a researcher working for Ipsos, an independent research organisation.

Explain research: The Home Office has commissioned Ipsos to carry out this study involving talking with UK businesses to get a better understanding of their experiences of corruption. This topic was also covered in the 2024 Economic Crime Survey which you or someone in your organisation has responded to. This interview will provide an opportunity to discuss the issue in more detail.

Explain that we’re not looking to talk about fraud. Frauds are attempts to dishonestly take money out of your business. In this interview, we’re interested in attempts to offer your business, or to get your business to offer, money, gifts or favours to secure a service or transaction.

The interview: The discussion will be informal. There are no right or wrong answers, we are just interested in your experiences. Your responses will be anonymised and included in a report for the Home Office, which may be published alongside the survey findings.

Legal advice: Ipsos cannot give any legal advice relating to occurrences or incidents covered in the interview.

Explain confidentiality: Everything you say will remain confidential to the research team, unless you tell us something that makes us concerned that you or someone else is at serious risk of harm, in which case we might need to pass this on to somebody else. We would discuss this with you first if feasible. All findings are reported on anonymously, however please ensure you do not name any specific individuals during the interview.

Explain donation for participation: Ipsos will make a £70 charity donation on your behalf as a thank you for your time. (ONLY IF THEY ASK: LET PARTICIPANTS KNOW THAT IT TAKES A MAXIMUM OF 8 WORKING DAYS FOR THE DONATION TO BE MADE.)

Explain voluntary participation: If you don’t want to answer a question, just let me know and we can move on. If you wish to end the discussion at any time, please let me know. Your participation in this research is voluntary.

Length of the interview: This discussion will last a maximum of 60 minutes.

Questions: Do you have any questions before we begin?

Consent to audio record: Would it be okay to record our discussion today? This helps with making notes and analysis. Recordings are used only for analysis purposes and are stored securely and deleted 12 months after the interview takes place.

MODERATOR TO TURN ON RECORDING

GDPR added consent (MODERATOR TO ASK ONCE RECORDER IS ON)

Ipsos’s legal basis for processing your data is your consent to take part in this research. Your participation is voluntary. You can withdraw your consent for your data to be used at any point before, during or after the interview and before data is anonymised at the end of July 2024.

Can I check that you are happy to proceed?

Business background – ASK ALL – 3 to 5 minutes

To start our discussion, I would like to spend a few minutes understanding your business in a bit more detail.

1. Firstly, please could you briefly describe your business?

A. How long has the business been operating?

B. What does the business do?

C. How would you describe the size and structure of the business?

2. Could you briefly describe your role within the business?

A. How long have you been working in this business?

B. What are your responsibilities?

Participant’s understanding of corruption – 10 minutes

Thanks very much, that’s really helpful. I’d now like to talk a bit about what corruption means to you, and how it might affect your business.

1. When you hear the term “corrupt business”, what comes to mind?

A. Can you think of any specific actions or behaviours that you would consider corrupt?

2. To what extent do you think you have encountered or been impacted by any of the behaviours you just mentioned?

A. Can you give any examples?

B. Do you think there are there any challenges or ambiguities in distinguishing between something being corrupt and it not?

3. OPEN BROAD QUESTION: Thinking more broadly, how would you personally define corruption?

A. What sort of individuals might be corrupt?

Experience of corruption – 20 minutes

Thank you, that’s really helpful.

I’m going to provide you with the high-level definition of corruption we are using for this research: Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private benefit that usually breaches laws, regulations, standards of integrity and/or professional behaviour.

MODERATOR NOTE: CHECK THE RESPONDENT PROFILE AND FAMILIARISE SELF WITH TYPE OF CORRUPTION EXPERIENCED BY PARTICIPANT. IF MULTIPLE TYPES OF CORRUPTION EXPERIENCED, PRIORITISE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Overseas

2. Public

3. Private (gave)

4. Private (received)

Prior to this interview taking place whilst we were checking your eligibility to participate in this research, you confirmed that your business or someone in it:

IF PARTICIPANT CONFIRMED THEY: were offered a gift, favour, or extra money other than the official fee, in order to secure a business transaction, or to get you to perform a service.

IF PARTICIPANT CONFIRMED THEY: were asked to give a gift, favour, or extra money other than the official fee, to any UK business, in order to secure a business transaction, or to get others to perform a service.

IF PARTICIPANT CONFIRMED THEY: was asked to give a UK public official a gift, favour, or extra money other than the official fee.

IF PARTICIPANT CONFIRMED THEY: was asked to give another business outside the UK a gift, favour, or extra money other than the official fee.

IF PARTICIPANT CONFIRMED THEY: investigated or had concerns about an employee personally receiving an undeclared gift, favour or extra money from an external business.

This could be an example of your business encountering bribery, which is a form of corruption, so I would now like to discuss this with you. Please note that you should not talk about people or roles in a way that can be identified, and that everything we say today will be strictly anonymous.

1. OPEN BROAD QUESTION: Now can you tell me a little about the incident in more detail?

A. Could you describe the circumstances or setting in which this incident occurred?

B. Was the incident related to any other incidents, or was it the first time this type of thing had occurred?

C. How was the offer/request instigated?

D. How explicit was the offer/request?

E. How did you first become aware of the incident?

F. Was anyone else outside of your business aware of the incident?

G. What was the extra money, gift or favour trying to achieve?

H. IF INCIDENT WAS INCONSEQUENTIAL / THERE IS LIMITED DETAIL: IF BUSINESS EXPERIENCED OTHER TYPES OF CORRUPTION, REPEAT ABOVE QUESTION WITH SECOND TYPE IN PRIORITY LIST. IF BUSINESS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE INCIDENTS OF SAME TYPE OF CORRUPTION, ASK IF THEY COULD TALK ABOUT THE ONE THAT HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON THEIR BUSINESS. ASK PARTICIPANTS TO FIRST EXPLORE WHAT BIGGEST IMPACT MEANS TO THEM, AND IF NECESSARY, PROBE WITH MONEY INVOLVED, TIME AND EFFORT INVOLVED, OR THE CHANGE IT EFFECTED IN BUSINESS PRACTICES ETC.

IF INCIDENT IS FROM SURVEY:

2. In the survey, you noted that the approximate value of any gifts, favours or extra money in the incident was around [VALUE FROM SURVEY]. Does this sound about right?

A. Could you tell me a bit more about the gifts or favours involved in this circumstance?

IF VALUE IS UNKNOWN, OR INCIDENT NOT FROM SURVEY:

A. Could you tell me a bit more about the gifts or favours involved in this circumstance?

B. Could you estimate the value of the service the gift, favour or extra money was trying to facilitate?

3. How did you or other employees in the business react to the incident?

A. Was the incident surprising or not that surprising?

B. As far as you’re aware, did anyone in the business find the incident worrying or concerning?

C. Did you or anyone in your business feel that the actions involved were not in line with your personal or business ethics?

4. What actions, if any, did your business take as a result of the incident?

IF ACTIONS TAKEN:

A. What were the key reasons you took these actions?

IF UNSURE, PROBE WITH RESPONSES FROM THE SURVEY.

IF NO ACTIONS TAKEN:

A. What do you think were the key reasons your business didn’t take any actions following the incident?

B. Were there any actions the business considered taking, but decided against?

IF ACTIONS TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO INCIDENT AS PER PREVIOUS SECTION:

5. Were there any costs associated with taking the actions you just mentioned?

IF YES:

A. Can you tell me approximately what this cost was?

B. How significant would you consider this cost to be?

IF NO:

A. Did you or anyone in your business spend time taking the actions we just talked about? Approximately how much time? Would this time have been spent on other business activities if the incident had not occurred?

6. Were there any benefits from actions taken after the incident?

A. These could be: psychological benefit (peace of mind), social benefit (normal behaviour)

B. How significant do you think these benefits are?

IF BUSINESS REPORTED INCIDENT:

7. You said in the survey that you reported the incident to [ANSWERS FROM SURVEY], could you tell me a little more about that?

A. What were the key reasons for deciding to report it?

B. How did you decide who to report it to?

C. What was the process of reporting the incident like?

D. What were the outcomes of reporting the incident?

E. Overall, how satisfied would you say you were with the outcome of reporting the incident?

IF INCIDENT NOT FROM SURVEY:

8. Did you report the incident to anyone inside or outside of your business?

A. Who did you report the incident to?

B. What were the key reasons for deciding to report it?

C. How did you decide who to report it to?

D. What was the process of reporting the incident like?

E. What were the outcomes of reporting the incident?

F. Overall, how satisfied would you say you were with the outcome of reporting the incident?

IF BUSINESS DID NOT REPORT INCIDENT:

IF INCIDENT FROM SURVEY:

9. You said in the survey that you did not report the incident, could you tell me a little more about that?

IF INCIDENT NOT FROM SURVEY:

10. Could you tell me a bit more about why you decided not to report the incident?

A. What were the key reasons for deciding not to report it?

PROBE WITH REASONS GIVEN IN THE SURVEY.

A. What factors would encourage you to report a similar incident in the future?

B. Where would you go if you did want to report bribery or corruption? INTERVIEWER NOTE: PRESS FOR EDUCATED GUESS.

IF BUSINESS NOTED INCIDENT HAD AN IMPACT:

11. In the survey, you noted that the incident had [ANSWERS FROM SURVEY] impacts on your business. Could you tell me a bit more about these impacts?

A. How significant was this impact on your business?

B. Were there any other impacts not mentioned here?

C. Were there other impacts the incident might have had on the business, but that were not realised due to actions your business took?

IF BUSINESS NOTED INCIDENT HAD AN IMPACT AND INCIDENT NOT FROM SURVEY:

12. What impacts, if any, do you think the incident had on your business?

IF UNSURE, PROMPT WITH:

ANY POSITIVE IMPACTS: avoided regulations or legal issues, improved relationships, new business, reduced costs

ANY NEGATIVE IMPACTS: complaints from customers or investors, damaged relationships, damage to staff morale or wellbeing, discouraged from carrying out a future business activity, fines from regulators, legal costs, loss of current or future contracts or business, reduced revenue or profits, staff being let go or resigning

A. How significant was this impact on your business?

B. Were there any other impacts not mentioned here?

C. Were there other impacts the incident might have had on the business, but that were not realised due to actions your business took?

IF BUSINESS FELT THEY BENEFITTED FROM THE INCIDENT:

13. What do you think the approximate value, in money or time, of these gains was to the business?

IF BUSINESS FELT THEY LOST:

14. What do you think the approximate cost, in money or time, of these impacts was to the business?

IF ANY IMPACT (POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE):

15. How significant would you say these impacts have been on your business?

IF NO IMPACT:

16. Why do you think this incident had no impact on your business?

A. Were there impacts the incident might have had on the business, but that were not realised due to actions your business took?

IF CONCERNS WERE RAISED ABOUT AN EMPLOYEE:

17. In the survey you noted you had investigated or had concerns about an employee personally receiving an undeclared gift, favour or extra money. Could you tell me a little more about this? Please note that you should not talk about people or roles in a way that can be identified.

A. How did these concerns come about?

B. Was any action taken by the business?

IF ACTION TAKEN: What actions were taken?

IF NO ACTION TAKEN: Why were no actions taken in this instance?

C. What was the outcome of investigations or concerns?

D. Did you report your concerns externally? If not, why not?

E. What impact did the incident have on your business?

Risks – 15 minutes

Thank you. This section will now explore risks associated with bribery and corruption for your sector, as well as your individual business.

As a reminder, we’re defining corruption as: the abuse of entrusted power for private benefit that usually breaches laws, regulations, standards of integrity and/or professional behaviour.

1. What immediately comes to mind when you hear this definition?

A. In your opinion, is this definition clear and easy to understand? Why or why not?

B. What sort of activities do you think would come under this definition?

2. How common do you think bribery and corruption is in your sector?

A. What makes you say this?

B. Is corruption something that comes up when you talk to other businesses in your industry?

3. Do you think there are any features of your sector that make bribery more likely to occur?

IF UNSURE, PROMPT WITH: for example, regular interaction with public sector employees or handling large cash payments.

A. And what about features that might make corruption likely in general?

4. Now considering within a specific business, what factors do you think would make bribery and corruption more likely?

A. Are there any job roles within a business where you think corruption might be more likely to occur?

B. Are there any processes within a business where you think corruption is more likely to occur?

5. In the survey, you noted how at risk you felt your business was from bribery and corruption. Can you explain why you felt this way or why you gave this response?

A. What does being “at risk” from corruption mean to you?

B. How likely do you think it is that a business like yours could be impacted by bribery or corruption in the next 12 months?

C. If bribery or corruption affected a business like yours over the next 12 months, how significant an impact would you expect it to have?

ASK IF HAS AT LEAST ONE MEASURE IN PLACE:

6. In the survey, you said that your business had [ANSWERS FROM SURVEY] measures in place to manage the risks of bribery and corruption. Could you tell me about these measures in more detail?

A. What specifically do they involve?

B. To what extent do you consider each of these measures to be effective?

C. Could you estimate how much these measures have cost over the last 12 months? This could be a direct cost or staff time in implementing them.

D. Do you have any other measures in place specifically to manage corruption that haven’t been mentioned?

E. Have you considered introducing any new measures in the past year?

ASK IF HAS AT LEAST ONE MEASURE IN PLACE:

7. Why were these measures implemented?

A. Were they introduced as a result of something that happened?

ASK IF NO MEASURES IN PLACE:

8. In the survey, you gave reasons why your business did not have any anti-corruption measures in place, could you explain this in a bit more detail?

A. Which of these reasons do you think is the most important? Why?

B. Are there any other reasons that haven’t been mentioned?

C. Have you considered introducing any anti-corruption measures, but ended up not doing so? IF YES: Why did you choose not to implement these measures?

9. What would make you more or less likely to introduce (IF HAVE MEASURES: additional) measures to mitigate the risks of corruption?

10. How do you think the risk posed by corruption compares to other risks your business faces?

A. Has the risk of corruption changed over last 12 months? If so, why?

B. Do you expect the risk of corruption to change over the next 12 months? If so, why?

Wrap up – 2 to 3 minutes

1. What additional information or support do you think your business would find helpful to manage the risks of corruption?

2. What is the key thing you would like to feed back to the Home Office about what we have discussed today?

3. Is there anything else you’d like to mention that we haven’t had a chance to discuss?

2.2 Money laundering topic guide

Introduction – 2 to 3 minutes

Introduce yourself and Ipsos: My name is MODERATOR TO ADD NAME and I am a researcher working for Ipsos, an independent research organisation.

Explain research: The Home Office has commissioned Ipsos to carry out this study involving talking with UK businesses to get a better understanding of their experiences of interacting with money derived from criminal activity. This topic was also covered in the 2024 Economic Crime Survey which you or someone in your organisation has responded to. This interview will provide an opportunity to discuss the issue in more detail.

Explain that we’re not looking to talk about fraud. Frauds are attempts to dishonestly take money out of your business. In this interview, we’re only interested in attempts to move or use for payment money that was potentially derived from criminal activity into or through your business.

The interview: The discussion will be informal. There are no right or wrong answers. Your responses will be anonymised and included in a report for the Home Office, which may be published alongside the survey findings.

Legal advice: Ipsos cannot give any legal advice relating to occurrences or incidents covered in the interview.

Explain confidentiality: Everything you say will remain confidential to the research team, unless you tell us something that makes us concerned that you or someone else is at serious risk of harm, in which case we might need to pass this on to somebody else. We would discuss this with you first if feasible. All findings are reported on anonymously, however please ensure you do not name any specific individuals during the interview.

Explain donation for participation: Ipsos will make a £70 charity donation on your behalf as a thank you for your time. (ONLY IF THEY ASK: LET PARTICIPANTS KNOW THAT IT TAKES A MAXIMUM OF 8 WORKING DAYS FOR THE DONATION TO BE MADE.)

Explain voluntary participation: If you don’t want to answer a question, just let me know and we can move on. If you wish to end the discussion at any time, please let me know. Your participation in this research is voluntary.

Length of the interview: This discussion will last a maximum of 60 minutes.

Questions: Do you have any questions before we begin?

Consent to audio record: Would it be okay to record our discussion today? This helps with making notes and analysis. Recordings are used only for analysis purposes and are stored securely and deleted 12 months after the interview takes place.

MODERATOR TO TURN ON RECORDING

GDPR added consent (MODERATOR TO ASK ONCE RECORDER IS ON)

Ipsos’s legal basis for processing your data is your consent to take part in this research. Your participation is voluntary. You can withdraw your consent for your data to be used at any point before, during or after the interview and before data is anonymised at the end of July 2024.

Can I check that you are happy to proceed?

Business background – 3 to 5 minutes

To start our discussion, I would like to spend a few minutes understanding your business in a bit more detail.

1. Firstly, please could you briefly describe your business?

A. How long has the business been operating?

B. What does the business do?

C. How would you describe the size and structure of the business?

2. Could you briefly describe your role within the business?

A. How long have you been working in this business?

B. What are your responsibilities?

Experience of money laundering – 20 minutes

MODERATOR NOTE: CHECK THE RESPONDENT PROFILE AND FAMILIARISE SELF WITH TYPE OF MONEY LAUNDERING EXPERIENCED BY PARTICIPANT.

Prior to this interview taking place whilst we were checking your eligibility to participate in this research, you confirmed that your business or anyone in it experienced a situation where you knew or suspected the money involved was derived from criminal activity. I would now like to discuss this with you.

1. OPEN BROAD QUESTION: First off, can you tell me a little about the occurrence in more detail?

IF “ANY OTHER TIMES…”, THIS QUESTION MAY REQUIRE MORE IN-DEPTH EXPLORATION/PROBING.

A. What happened?

B. When did it happen?

C. Was this related to any other incidents, or was it the first time this type of thing had happened?

D. Considering those both within and outside your business, who was involved in the occurrence and any response? Please avoid naming individuals and instead focus on role descriptions where possible.

E. IF OCCURRENCE WAS INCONSEQUENTIAL / THERE IS LIMITED DETAIL: IF BUSINESS EXPERIENCED OTHER TYPES OF MONEY LAUNDERING, REPEAT ABOVE QUESTION WITH ANOTHER TYPE OF MONEY LAUNDERING. IF ONE INSTANCE, CONTINUE WITH TOPIC GUIDE.

2. How did the occurrence make you feel?

A. Was the occurrence surprising or not that surprising?

3. What made you, or others in your business, suspicious that the money may have originated from a criminal source?

PROMPT WITH REASONS GIVEN IN THE SURVEY IF NOT ADDRESSED IN RESPONSE.

A. Did your business conduct any further checks after suspicion was initially raised?

B. Do you have any specific rules or reasons why certain activities prompt further investigation, such as a company checklist?

C. IF VETTING/IDENTITY CHECKS WERE MENTIONED: Do your vetting or identity checks happen routinely, or was this check more ad-hoc for a particular customer or supplier? IF AD-HOC: Could you tell me a bit more about why you decided to conduct a check in this instance?

D. IF THE OCCURRENCE WAS REPORTED/DISCOVERED BY STAFF OR PARTICIPANT AD HOC: Was the occurrence discovered by yourself or by someone else in your business?

E. IF OCCURRENCE WAS NOT PREVENTED: In your opinion, how likely is it that the other people involved this occurrence knew or suspected that the money might have originated from a criminal source?

4. In the survey, you mentioned that you took [ANSWERS FROM SURVEY] actions as a result of the occurrence. Could you tell me a bit more about these actions?

INTERVIEWER NOTE: IF BUSINESS REPORTED INCIDENT OUTSIDE OF THE BUSINESS (I.E., TO THE POLICE OR ANOTHER BODY), OR INTERVIEWEE STARTS TO TALK ABOUT EXTERNAL REPORTING, NOTE THAT THIS WILL BE COVERED SEPARATELY IN ANOTHER SECTION LATER ON.

A. IF ACTIONS TAKEN: What were the key reasons you took these actions? IF NEEDED PROMPT WITH: Felt the business had a duty to take these actions, to reduce the likelihood of future occurrences, to mitigate the impact of the existing occurrence

B. IF NO ACTIONS TAKEN: What were the key reasons you didn’t take any actions in this circumstance? Were there any actions the business considered taking, but decided against? If so, what were the reasons the business ended up not taking these actions?

C. IF BUSINESS PLANNING TO / MIGHT TAKE ACTION: What actions have you thought about taking as a result of the occurrence? What are your key considerations when deciding whether or not you take action?

5. In the survey, you were asked about how sure you were that the money in this case was derived from criminal activity, and you gave [ANSWERS FROM SURVEY]. What made you say this? Could you give me a bit more detail on what your suspicions were based on?

A. What would have made you more or less sure?

B. Have these suspicions changed over time?

6. What impacts, positive or negative, did you think this occurrence had on your business? Why was this?

IF UNSURE, PROMPT WITH:

ANY POSITIVE IMPACTS: avoided regulations or legal issues, improved relationships, increased revenue or profits, new business or contracts, received investment/funding, reduced our costs

ANY NEGATIVE IMPACTS: complaints from customers or investors, damaged relationships, damage to staff morale or wellbeing, discouraged from carrying out a future business activity, fines from regulators, legal costs, loss of current or future contracts or business, reduced revenue or profits, staff being let go or resigning

A. How significant was this impact on your business? How long did this impact last for?

B. Were there other impacts the occurrence might have had on the business, but that were not realised due to actions the business took?

7. IF NO IMPACT: Why do you think this occurrence had no impact on your business?

A. Were there other impacts the occurrence might have had on the business, but that were not realised due to actions the business took?

Costs – 5 minutes

Thank you. This section will now explore the costs or gains the business might have experienced because of the occurrence.

1. IF ACTIONS TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO OCCURRENCE: Were there any costs associated with taking the actions you mentioned?

IF YES:

A. Can you tell me approximately what this cost was?

B. How significant would you consider this cost to be?

C. Do those costs include staff time? This is time spent by staff dealing with the occurrence that they would have otherwise spent doing something else.

IF NO OR STAFF TIME NOT INCLUDED:

A. Did you or anyone in your business spend time taking the actions we’ve just talked about?

B. Approximately how much time?

C. Would this time have been spent on other business activities if the occurrence had not happened?

2. Were there any financial benefits to the business as a result of this occurrence?

A. This could include: avoided regulations or legal issues, improved relationships, increased revenue or profits, new business or contracts, received investment/funding, reduced our costs

B. How significant would you consider these benefits to be?

C. Would you be able to put an approximate value to any of these financial benefits?

3. Were there any other non-financial benefits to the business, either as a result of the occurrence, or from any actions taken after it?

A. These could be: psychological benefit (peace of mind), social benefit (normal behaviour)

B. How significant do you think these benefits are?

4. Were there any costs to the business as a result of the occurrence?

A. These could be: reputational damage, psychological cost (stress or worry), social cost (reduced trust)

B. How significant do you think these costs are?

External reporting – 10 minutes

Thank you. I’m now going to ask a few questions about reporting these kinds of occurrence to a third party.

1. IF BUSINESS DID NOT REPORT OCCURRENCE: You said in the survey that you did not report the occurrence to anyone outside the business, could you tell me a little more about that?

A. What were the key reasons you didn’t report the occurrence to anyone outside the business?

2. Moving beyond this specific occurrence, have you ever reported knowledge or suspicion of use of criminal funds to anyone outside of your organisation?

IF YES:

A. What were the key reasons you decided to report this?

B. Who did you report it to, and what was that process like?

IF CLEAR THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES: Did this vary depending on the incident?

IF THEY MENTION SUBMITTING A SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY REPORT (SAR): What was the process of submitting a SAR like? Did you find it easy or difficult? Do you think the SARs regime is a useful one for your business?

C. Did you encounter any challenges or obstacles during the reporting process?

3. In what situations would you consider reporting suspicions to someone outside your organisation?

A. Are there any situations where you might be less likely to report externally?

B. Where would you go if you did want to report an occurrence outside of the business?

Participant’s understanding of money laundering – 5 minutes

Thank you. I’d now like to discuss some of your broader thoughts on the topic, rather than looking at one specific incident.

1. OPEN BROAD QUESTION: To start, how would you personally define money laundering?

A. When you hear the term “laundered money”, what comes to mind?

B. What sort of activities, individuals or businesses do you think are typically involved in money laundering?

INTERVIEWER READ OUT AND SHARE IN CHAT IF POSSIBLE: I’m now going to share the definition of Money Laundering we’ll be using for the rest of the interview: Money laundering occurs when money derived from crime is spent, hidden from view, transferred between individuals, or moved outside of the country.

2. In your opinion, how might money derived from criminal activities find its way into your sector?

A. How might criminals use or introduce this money to a business in your sector?

3. What factors do you think would make the introduction of money derived from crime in your sector more likely?

A. Are there any job roles within your sector where you think money laundering might be more likely to occur?

B. Are there any processes within your sector where you think money laundering is more likely to occur?

4. How common do you think money laundering is in your sector?

A. What makes you say this?

B. Is money laundering something that you talk about with other businesses in your industry?

Risks – 10 minutes

Thank you. This section will now explore risks associated with money laundering, and what your business might do to manage them.

As a reminder, money laundering occurs when money derived from crime is spent, hidden from view, transferred between individuals, or moved outside of the country.

1. In the survey, you noted how at risk you felt your business was from money laundering. Can you explain why you felt this way or why you gave this response?

A. IF CUSTOMERS ARE CONSIDERED LOW RISK/REPUTABLE: In your opinion, what makes a business low risk to work with?

2. What does being “at risk” from money laundering mean to you?

A. How likely do you think it is that a business like yours could experience a money laundering occurrence in the next 12 months?

B. If a money laundering incidence did happen to a business like yours over the next 12 months, how significant an impact would you expect it to have?

3. ASK IF HAS AT LEAST ONE MEASURE IN PLACE: In the survey, you said that your business had [ANSWERS FROM SURVEY] measures in place to manage the risks of money laundering. Could you tell me about these measures in more detail?

A. What specifically do they involve?

B. Why were they implemented? Were these measures introduced in response to something?

C. To what extent do you consider each of these measures to be effective?

D. Do you have any other measures in place specifically to manage money laundering that haven’t been mentioned?

E. What would make you more or less likely to introduce additional measures to mitigate the risks of money laundering?

4. ASK IF NO MEASURES IN PLACE: What do you think are the main reasons your businesses doesn’t have any anti-money laundering measures in place?

PROMPT WITH: business too small to warrant these measures, cost of measures is too high, have alternative measures in place, not a business priority, not the kind of business at risk of money laundering, not thought about it before, would not know how to implement these measures

5. Have you considered introducing any anti-money laundering measures, but ended up not doing so?

IF YES:

A. Why did you choose not to implement these measures?

B. What, if anything, would have to change for your business to implement anti-money laundering measures?

6. IF REGULATED: Have you received any education or assistance from your anti-money laundering supervisor?

IF YES:

A. How helpful did you find this advice?

B. Did any of this assistance cover understanding money laundering risk or implementation of protective measures?

Sanctions – 5 to 7 minutes

MODERATOR NOTE: THESE QUESTIONS ARE LOWER PRIORITY, AND SHOULD ONLY BE COVERED IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT TIME.

1. When you hear the term “financial sanctions”, what comes to mind?

A. In your opinion, why do you think sanctions might be applied?

B. Are you aware of different types of sanctions?

Thank you. I’m now going to provide the definition of financial sanctions that we’ll consider for the rest of this section (INTERVIEWER TO SHARE IN CHAT IF POSSIBLE): Financial sanctions are measures that limit the provision of financial services, and restrict access to financial markets, funds and economic resources, to the sanctioned person or business. They can be applied on a geographic basis or in relation to a particular issue, such as terrorism.

2. Now that you’ve heard this definition, could you tell me a bit about how your company views financial sanctions and their relevance to your operations?

A. Do you conduct any business outside of the UK?

B. IF SANCTIONS NOT RELEVANT: What are the key reasons you don’t feel that sanctions are relevant to your business?

3. IF AWARE OF SANCTIONS / THEY ARE RELEVANT: Could you walk me through the process of how your company stays informed about current financial sanctions and compliance requirements?

A. What resources or sources of information do you find most valuable in understanding and navigating sanctions?

B. In your experience, how helpful and clear is the available guidance on sanctions compliance?

C. Are there any areas related to sanctions that you find complex or challenging to interpret?

Wrap up – 2 minutes

1. What is the key thing you would like to feed back to the Home Office about what we have discussed today?

2. Is there anything else you’d like to mention that we haven’t had a chance to discuss?

Economic Crime Survey 2024: Research materials

1. Quantitative questionnaire and list of split-sampled questions

1.1 Quantitative questionnaire

1.2 Full list of split-sampled questions

2. Qualitative topic guides

2.1 Corruption topic guide

2.2 Money laundering topic guide

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1. Quantitative questionnaire and list of split-sampled questions

1.1 Quantitative questionnaire

1.2 Full list of split-sampled questions

2. Qualitative topic guides

2.1 Corruption topic guide

2.2 Money laundering topic guide

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK