Mingling in the New Millennium

The most successful fraud fighters use free social media outlets to network, expand their businesses, increase their contacts, learn new methods and stay current on the latest in anti-fraud news and resources. It is a brave new interactive world.

When Eric Feldman, CFE, decided to retire from the federal government and begin his own ethics and compliance consulting firm, Core Integrity Group, in 2010, his son, Josh, said, "Dad, you gotta get on LinkedIn." Josh, 26, is the chief of technology for an Internet media company in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Feldman, a self-proclaimed "technophobe," cautiously created a user account on LinkedIn listing his past work experience, his contact information and his new company's website address. After testing the social media waters, he then decided to take the plunge and extend invitations to connect with other known professionals, joined several relevant discussion groups and even began to prospect for new clients.

"I went on LinkedIn and pretty much started from scratch," Feldman said. "I now use it as the primary base for my introductory marketing. I send out emails to people I connect with, and it has resulted in more and more networking. It is fabulous for making contacts."