2.25 There are fraud risks related to the release of itemised spending transaction data. For example, fraudsters can draw on such information in attempting to redirect payments made to legitimate suppliers. The Audit Commission has reported that councils detected frauds of this type amounting to £7 million in 2010-11. Such risks can, however, be mitigated by effective financial controls - which foiled £20 million of fraud attempts in the same period.11
2.26 The Government has taken steps to raise the profile of fraud prevention in local government, including the publication of a fraud prevention strategy addressing the need for better prevention and enforcement.12 In addition, the Department for Communities and Local Government has referred local authorities to fraud prevention advice published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.13