This week is International Fraud Awareness Week, established by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) in 2000 to raise awareness about fraud. ACFE statistics indicate that organisations around the world lose five (5) percent of their annual revenues to fraud.
As the NHBRC, we have channels governed by the fraud prevention policy, the whistle-blowing policy, and procedures to deal with such matters. The channels were created to ensure that every one of us can report concerns confidently with the trust that these will receive attention and offer protection for whistle-blowers.
The NHBRC Ethics Hotline is run by an independent service provider who ensures that all cases of alleged fraud and corruption are reported centrally and investigated without fear or favour.
To report any suspected acts of corruption or fraud committed against NHBRC contact the Fraud Hotline on 0800 203 698 or via email at: behonest@nhbrc.org.za.
Examples of incidents that can be reported to the fraud hotline include but are not limited to the following:
• Fraudulent enrolment certificates
• Fraudulent builder registration certificates
• Fraudulent enrolments – normal versus late enrolment and financial guarantees
• Fraudulent reimbursement claims
• Extortion of home builders
• Receiving a bribe to ignore building contraventions
• “Lost or stolen” NHBRC assets, such as gadgets, computers, and etc.
• Fraudulent external training claims by service providers
• Fake qualification – secondary school and tertiary
• Nepotism and “sale of positions”
As the NHBRC, we join the global effort to minimize the impact of fraud in our organisation and country.