When paperwork isn’t enough: fraud risk and the role of field services to protect public funds

Fraud in public programs is rarely complicated. In most cases, the documentation looks correct and the claims sound reasonable, but the physical reality does not match what is on file. That disconnect is where fraud tends to occur.

Federal oversight agencies have consistently flagged this issue. The Government Accountability Office continues to report significant levels of improper payments across public programs, driven in part by reliance on self reported information and limited real world verification. When funds move quickly or oversight is primarily paper based, risk increases.

This is especially true for programs tied to physical locations, operations, or assets. Claims may depend on a business operating at a specific address, a facility being active, or services being delivered as stated. Without verification, it becomes difficult to distinguish legitimate operations from misrepresentation.

Field services help close that gap by validating what actually exists. A site visit can confirm whether a location is real, operating as described, and consistent with the information provided. Simple observations such as signage, activity, staffing, and asset presence often reveal whether a claim aligns with reality.

Regulators already recognize the value of this approach. Federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have all pointed to site visits and physical verification as effective tools for protecting public funds and program integrity, particularly when applied in a risk based manner.

For organizations connected to public funding, lending, or compliance, field services provide a practical safeguard. They allow legitimate cases to move efficiently while adding a layer of protection where risk is higher. In short, they help ensure that what is being funded or approved actually exists and operates as expected.

Sources

Government Accountability Office (GAO) – Improper Payments and Fraud

https://www.gao.gov

USDA Food and Nutrition Service – Guidance on Unannounced Visits

https://www.fns.usda.gov

HHS Office of Inspector General – Provider Enrollment and Screening

https://oig.hhs.gov

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) – Fraud Vulnerabilities and Mitigation Strategies

https://www.cms.gov