A Case of Opportunity More about the Fraud Triangle

Last week I gave the Pink Collar Criminal presentation at the Special District Association of Oregon.  Largest crowd yet!  There were great questions and hopefully I answered all of them.  One participant came up after the presentation and told me how she was deeply offended that anyone in her position could do such a horrid thing like stealing.  Now almost every one of us would never steal but unfortunately one bad apple…  I like to make the point that good people can do bad things.  The pictures on the "Wall of Shame" show that  perpetrators look like regular people.  Most people can’t believe it when they hear someone has been arrested.  That is the whole message of the fraud triangle.  Opportunity, pressure and rationalization.  We know many people are under lots of pressure these days with the economy.  What causes someone to go from a regular neighbor to a Pink Collar Criminal? It is the opportunity.  If you don’t give someone the opportunity, they won’t be able to steal.  But if they are desperate enough they will find the opportunity.  Think hard about what opportunities are available in your business.  Remember good people…