Bret Hood, CFE
Too much of a good thing?
Our natural inclinations tell us that the more information we have, the better decisions we can make, according to the author. However, thanks to one grocery store study, the opposite might be true. Read how a jam taste test proves that information overload can actually stymie a fraud examination.
Written By: Bret Hood, CFE
Twisted rationalization
Fraud examiners tend to de-emphasize the rationalization factor — to the detriment of prevention efforts. Here’s some of the science behind would-be fraudsters’ justifications and how we can use it practically to deter their crimes.
Written By: Bret Hood, CFE
Incoming millennial fraud tidal wave
When you hear about “millennials,” also known as “Generation Y,” what’s your reaction? Do you cringe or do you smile? Do your eyes roll thinking about their alleged feelings of self-entitlement, or do you breathe a sigh of relief knowing their technological expertise has helped you work through important problems?
Written By: Bret Hood, CFE
Walking through the side door
A euphemism is an almost automatic and alternative method we use to phrase possibly negative things in a less harmful fashion. Fraudsters use euphemisms to rationalize their crimes. Fraud examiners can use them to elicit confessions or detect fraud in an organization. Here’s what you need to know to spot euphemisms and when fraudsters are using them to mask nefarious deeds.
Written By: Bret Hood, CFE
Moral equilibrium
Doing good deeds is generally recognized as positive. However, these gestures sometimes can be part of a psychological process to license and compensate for aberrant behaviors. A fraud examiner who’s aware of the potential psychological ramifications of these deeds might be able to proactively interdict fraud schemes and mitigate losses of these schemes.
Written By: Bret Hood, CFE
How Illusory Superiority Can Threaten Your Fraud Investigations
Similar to the overconfidence bias, illusory superiority is described as when you overestimate your own abilities when compared to others. Confidence is an important trait for fraud examiners, but too much of it can lead to mistakes in investigations — and illusory superiority can contribute to overconfidence in imperceptible ways.
Written By: Bret Hood, CFE
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