The unprecedented level of federal funding made available through pandemic relief programs helped millions of individuals and businesses struggling financially. However, these programs and benefits are also plagued with high levels of fraud.
The risk of improper payments dramatically increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal agencies estimated about $247 billion in improper payments in fiscal year 2022, a large increase compared to the estimate of about $140 billion for fiscal year 2017. The extent of fraud associated with COVID-19 relief programs is significant and could further increase, since many investigations are under way.
State Workforce Agencies’ unemployment insurance systems were significantly impacted by fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leveraging big data and innovative tools, IEM identified over $1.1 billion in UI benefit fraud. Read more here.
IEM Helps Identify, Investigate, Recover & Prevent Fraud
IEM has extensive experience managing and implementing federally funded grants and benefits programs, including but not limited to:
- DOL Unemployment Insurance,
- Treasury Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance,
- HUD Community Development Block Grants (CDBG),
- FEMA disaster assistance, and
- other recovery grant and financial programs.
-
IEM helps clients prevent fraud, improve detection outcomes, and identify, investigate, and recover funds. Finding the right balance between the need for payment speed, organizational due diligence and equitable access for program beneficiaries requires careful consideration and ongoing evaluation. At IEM, we help our clients to balance program and/or payment integrity, equitable access and fraud prevention.
- Fraud Program Governance and Policy
- Fraud Risk Assessments
- Fraud Internal Controls Assessments
- Fraud Investigation Life-Cycle People, Processes, and Technology Assessments
- Fraud Training
- Fraud Audits and Assessments
- Community Outreach and Awareness Campaigns
- Equitable Access Assessments
Targeting Fraudulent Claims and Scams
IEM is committed to helping our clients and partners implement fraud program management solutions to prevent, detect, and recover future fraud activity.
IEM’s Fraud services are applicable to all federally funded programs. We understand the detrimental impact fraudulent and false claims have on the ability to get assistance and relief to those in need.
Using innovative tools and technology coupled with real-world fraud investigation experience, IEM stands ready to assist clients to prevent fraud and identify, prosecute, and recover losses.
