Alberta downturn driving up white collar crime, says forensic accountant

Tough economic times could be pushing Albertans to commit more white collar crime, says one former RCMP officer. 

Greg Draper, now a Calgary-based forensic accountant, says financial woes are pressuring people to cheat at work — in some cases padding their expense accounts, doubling up on their claims and filing for reimbursement of personal purchases.

"The current economy ... is creating a perfect storm for fraud risks for Alberta companies," he said.

It's something he witnessed during the 2008 downturn as well.

"It's not as though the citizens of Alberta have suddenly gone morally bankrupt," Draper said.

"They're finding themselves in a hard place, and they're making sometimes the wrong decision to alleviate the pressure."

Draper said many Albertans who have lost their salary bonuses, stock options, and in many cases jobs, are now struggling to keep their heads above water.

The temptation is even stronger because massive layoffs have left fewer people to monitor employees, he said. 

"There's less eyes on the switch, so to speak, and the opportunity does present itself."

Draper said the first step companies can take to protect themselves is to recognize that the risk of fraud is real.

"Acknowledge that this can and ultimately will happen to even good companies," he said.

"Sometimes good people make bad decisions."