Dear Abby: A longtime friend recently accused me of lying about my education, and I’m still stunned by it. I completed my undergraduate studies in the U.S., earning a BA, and later earned a master’s degree from a French university. Recently, during an exchange on Facebook, my friend asserted, quite confidently, that I was lying about my academic history. When I corrected her, she doubled down and said that because of this, she wanted to cease contact with me.
While this is upsetting given that the accusation is false — I did finish college, and I do have a graduate degree — I am less distraught by her ignorance than by the certainty with which she accused me and the implication that I’m dishonest. I’ve always been straightforward about my background, and I find it unsettling to have my integrity questioned by someone who has known me well for 30 years.
My dilemma is this: Do I owe my…
CLICK HERE to read the FULL Dear Abby: A good friend told me I'm a fraud – The Detroit News article.
MANAGEMENT & CULTURE (THE “TONE AT THE TOP”)
Fraud thrives in “sloppy” environments where leadership ignores the rules.
- The Fraud Triangle: For fraud to occur, three elements must be present: Pressure (the need for money), Rationalization (thinking “I deserve this”), and Opportunity (weak controls). You can only control the Opportunity.
- Whistleblower Hotline: Provide an anonymous way for staff to report “odd behavior.” Most internal frauds are caught via tips, not audits.
- Background Checks: Conduct credit and criminal record checks for all employees in financial or data-sensitive roles.
- Annual Ethics Training: Make sure every staff member knows that the company has a Zero Tolerance policy toward “borrowing” from petty cash or fudging overtime.