Palm Springs Recognizes International Fraud Awareness Week. Why It Matters for Every City and Business

Last week, I had the honor of standing alongside Palm Springs Mayor Ron DeHarte as he presented an official Proclamation declaring November 16–22, 2025 as International Fraud Awareness Week in the City of Palm Springs. The proclamation was issued publicly during the DBA Learns workshop: Outsmarting the Scammers, a session led jointly by Matt Howe and me as part of the Desert Business Association’s education program. It was a powerful moment, not just for us as presenters, but for the entire community. Palm Springs made a clear and public statement: Fraud prevention matters. Our community cares. And our city is paying attention!

Why This Proclamation Matters

International Fraud Awareness Week is an annual global initiative focused on reducing the impact of fraud through education, prevention, and stronger internal controls. When a city publicly recognizes Fraud Week, it signals a commitment to:

• Strengthening public trust

• Protecting taxpayer dollars

• Increasing awareness of scams and occupational fraud

• Encouraging local businesses to adopt stronger safeguards
  

Fraud is not an abstract concept. It hits cities, taxpayers, homeowners, and small businesses every single year. Palm Springs stepping up and acknowledging this risk is both responsible and forward-thinking.

Fraud Against City Governments: A Growing Problem Nationwide

Government entities, especially municipalities, are consistent targets for fraud. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) reports that:

• Government and public administration organizations suffer a median loss of $150,000 per fraud case

• Occupational fraud lasts an average of 12–18 months before detection

• Lack of internal controls is the #1 contributing factor

• Cities are common targets for:

  • Billing and vendor fraud

  • Payment-approval manipulation

  • Payroll schemes

  • Purchasing card (P-Card) abuse

  • Falsified expense reimbursements

  • Misappropriation of restricted funds
    

Cities that have suffered fraud losses in recent years range from small towns to major metropolitan areas, and the fallout is always the same:axpayer money is lost, public trust is eroded, and recovery is slow and expensive. This is why proclamations like the one issued by Palm Springs are more than symbolic. They reinforce a commitment to protecting public resources and making fraud prevention a visible civic priority.

The Role of Local Business & Community Education

Our DBA Learns session — Outsmarting the Scammers — addressed two critical angles of fraud:

1. Consumer and Cyber Scams

Matt Howe provided actionable steps individuals and families can use to avoid increasingly sophisticated scams targeting residents.

2. Occupational Fraud Inside Small Businesses

I walked attendees through real examples of internal fraud, common red flags, and practical steps business owners can take immediately to reduce risk. The proclamation made during our event underscored something the business community already knows: Fraud doesn’t just happen “somewhere else.” It happens in every city, every industry, and every size organization. And awareness is the first line of defense.

More Live Workshops Coming — Stay Tuned

The Palm Springs proclamation was an important milestone, but the work doesn’t stop there. We are continuing the momentum with additional live workshops in December and January, focusing on:

• Scam prevention for consumers

• Fraud risk management for small businesses

• Practical internal controls

• Steps leaders can take to reduce the risk of employee theft

• Why transparency and proper oversight protect everyone, including taxpayers

Dates and registration details will be announced shortly.

A Final Thought

Fraud is a community issue, not just a business issue. When a city takes fraud

prevention seriously, it strengthens local institutions, supports the business community, and protects the people who call it home.

I’m grateful to the City of Palm Springs, the DBA, Matt Howe, and everyone who joined us this week to make International Fraud Awareness Week more than a slogan, but a catalyst for real action.

Stay tuned for our upcoming workshops, and let’s continue building a safer, more fraud-resistant community together.