Current ways in which you could obtain information from public and private sources

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• Social media: Social media can also be a useful source of information when investigating fraud. For example, you may be able to find information about the employee's lifestyle, financial situation, and travel habits. This information can help you to determine if the employee is living beyond their means or if they are traveling frequently to avoid detection.
• Financial institutions: Financial institutions can also be a good source of information when investigating fraud. For example, you may be able to obtain the employee's bank statements, credit card statements, and investment account statements. This information can help you to track the employee's financial activity and to identify any suspicious transactions.
• Private investigators: If you need more in-depth information, you may want to hire a private investigator. Private investigators can conduct interviews, surveillance, and other investigative activities to obtain information about the employee and their activities.

Whether or not the data that you obtain from public and private sources is reliable depends on the source of the data and how it was obtained. For example, public records are generally considered to be reliable, but it is important to verify the authenticity of the records before using them. Social media data can be reliable if it is obtained from the employee's own account, but it is important to be aware that social media users can post false or misleading information. Financial institution data is also generally considered to be reliable, but it is important to obtain the data directly from the financial institution and to verify the authenticity of the data before using it. Data obtained from private investigators can be reliable, but it is important to hire a reputable private investigator and to obtain a contract that specifies the scope of the investigation and the methods that the investigator will use. Here are some specific examples of how you could obtain information from public and private sources to investigate an employee in accounts receivable that is believed to be embezzling funds from your company:

• Obtain the employee's public records, such as their credit report, criminal history, and property records. You can do this by contacting the appropriate government agencies.
• Review the employee's social media accounts. Look for information about the employee's lifestyle, financial situation, and travel habits.
• Obtain the employee's bank statements, credit card statements, and investment account statements. You can do this by contacting the employee's financial institutions.
• Hire a private investigator to conduct interviews, surveillance, and other investigative activities to obtain information about the employee and their activities.

It is important to note that you should only collect information that is relevant to the investigation and that you should not violate the employee's privacy rights. Reliability of the data The data that you obtain from public and private sources may be reliable, but it is important to verify the authenticity of the data before using it. You should also be aware that some data, such as social media data, may be biased or inaccurate. Here are some tips for verifying the reliability of data:

• Check the source of the data. Is the source reputable?
• Verify the date of the data. Is the data up-to-date?
• Compare the data to other sources. Does the data match other information that you have about the employee?
• Be aware of any biases or inaccuracies in the data. For example, social media users may post false or misleading information.

If you are unsure about the reliability of a piece of data, you may want to consult with an expert, such as a fraud examiner or a private investigator.  

Sample Answer

 

There are a number of ways to obtain information from public and private sources if you were asked to investigate an employee in accounts receivable that is believed to be embezzling funds from your company. Some examples include:

• Public records: Public records can be a valuable source of information when investigating fraud. For example, you may be able to obtain the employee's public records, such as their credit report, criminal history, and property records. This information can help you to identify any red flags that may indicate that the employee is involved in fraud.