What steps do you employ to prevent the payment of fraudulent invoices that have been raised in the name of existing suppliers (i.e. where a fraudster raises an invoice in the name of a company that is already a supplier but with the fraudster’s own bank details)?
We can confirm that steps are taken by Devon County Council to prevent the payment of fraudulent invoices.
However, to place in the public domain a description of the specific steps which the council takes would provide fraudsters with the means and opportunity to avoid the specific steps which the council takes and it would therefore prejudice the prevention of crime.
In our view, this information is therefore exempt from disclosure pursuant to s.31 (1) (a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.