Detection controls

Detection controls are designed to identify instances of fraud and corruption once they have occurred, enabling timely intervention to limit their impact. While prevention controls aim to stop misconduct from happening, detection controls provide a critical second line of defence by increasing the likelihood that fraudulent activity will be discovered.

Effective detection controls are typically risk-based, focusing on areas with higher exposure to fraud and using both manual and automated techniques to identify anomalies, patterns or red flags. They enable organisations to respond quickly, disrupt fraudulent activity and prevent further loss or harm, and provide valuable insights into control weaknesses and emerging risks. 

When combined with clear escalation pathways and investigation processes, detection controls help ensure that incidents are managed consistently, transparently and effectively.

  • Prepare summary reports on activities for clients, managers or responsible employees

    Activity reporting

  • Automatically notify clients or employees about high-risk changes to alert them to potential fraud and avoid delays in disrupting or investigating an incident

    Automatic change notifications

  • Match data automatically with another source to obtain or verify details relevant to the request or claim

    Automatic data matching

  • Put in place processes for employees or external parties to lodge tip-offs or provide protected disclosures

    Avenues for reporting fraud

  • Allow clients, employees and third parties to lodge complaints about actions or decisions they disagree with

    Complaints handling

  • Capture documents and other evidence to detect, analyse, investigate and disrupt fraudulent activity

    Evidence and document capture and storage

  • Produce exception reports to identify activities that are different from the standard, normal or expected process and should be further investigated

    Exception reporting

Know your options

Organisations can use the information for each control to:

  • identify and understand available fraud control options
  • see examples of the control in action
  • understand the risks of control gaps
  • assess whether existing controls are operating effectively
  • identify complementary controls to strengthen the control environment
  • identify controls relevant to specific fraudster personas.

Download the complete fraud catalogue

Explore a range of controls that can be put in place to reduce the risk of fraud happening in your organisation.

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