Fraud is a serious issue that affects organisations across all sectors. It is estimated that fraud costs the UK economy more than £190 billion pounds every year.

Large organisations like King’s are encouraged to remain vigilant and proactive in detecting and preventing fraudulent activity.

The Office for Students requires universities to have processes in place to control and minimise the risk of fraud.

Our approach to counter fraud

King’s actively monitors its systems and processes for signs of fraud, particularly its financial systems. Our policies and procedures are designed to:

• Reduce the risk of fraud occurring
• Give guidance on how suspected fraud should be reported and investigated.

It’s not uncommon for staff, students or others to report concerns of suspected fraud. Reporting these concerns promptly is essential.

If you suspect fraud, please report it immediately so it can be investigated.

Send details to: counter-fraud@kcl.ac.uk

This mailbox is monitored by King’s Counter-Fraud Champions and senior staff within Business Assurance and Finance.

King’s staff – reporting phishing

If you receive a phishing or suspicious email, please report it via Outlook and do not just delete it.

To report in Outlook:

1. In your inbox, select the email(s) you want to report.
2. In the Message tab of the ribbon above the reading pane, you will see the ‘Report’ button. Select Report > Report phishing.

Search for the Internal Counter Fraud Hub on SharePoint for more information.

If you want to make an initial report under the Whistleblowing (Information Disclosure) Policy email: whistleblowing@kcl.ac.uk.

This mailbox is monitored by senior officers in the Office of the Chairman and Council Secretariat.

Visit our page for customers to find out more about the change of university bank account details (payment diversion) scam.

Visit our page for suppliers to find out more about the fraudulent emails and purchase orders scam.

Visit our page about fraudulent emails asking you to speak at King's.

Read King's College London's statement regarding the Criminal Finances Act 2017.

Counter Fraud, Bribery & Corruption Policy

• Policy and procedure setting out the University's approach to prevention of fraud, bribery and corruption. 

Whistleblowing (Information Disclosure) Policy

• Policy and procedure for reporting and handling information disclosure in compliance with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. 

Donations Policy

• Policy setting out the conditions under which donations will be solicited and accepted by King's College London and fundraising partners.

Gifts Policy

• Policy on the acceptance of gifts by staff in the course of conducting university business.