Guidance

Indicators of potential fraud in educational organisations

Red flags indicating potential fraud in schools, colleges and independent training providers.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

This is a list of generic indicators of potential fraud. It includes:

  • personal and organisational motives
  • weakness of internal controls
  • transactional indicators
  • methods used to commit and conceal fraud

You may find it helpful to use this list as a checklist if you are concerned that fraudulent activity might be taking place in your organisation.

Updates to this page

Published 11 March 2014
Last updated 30 June 2025 show all updates
  1. Updated the list of red flag indicators.

  2. Removed 'Cyber crime and cyber security: a guide for education providers'.

  3. We have updated the cyber crime and cyber security guide, with revised information and links to further information.

  4. We have published a guide for education providers on cyber crime and cyber security.

  5. We have published guidance on fraud indicators for education providers.

  6. First published.

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