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BEATING FRAUD IN EVERY DEPARTMENT

HOW EACH DEPARTMENT IN EVERY SA BUSINESS CAN MITIGATE FRAUD IN 2024

Sameer Kumandan, as SearchWorks can help. confidence index, gross monthly applicants can mean the end of a multitude of search parameters
SearchWorks, Here’s how each department income, and CIPC director search. company, so vetting all suppliers that encompass individual,
Managing Director can benefit: and third parties is crucial. This business, trust, property, credit,
Finance: If an accountant does includes the obvious checks and adverse news searches.
Human Resources: According to not know their client or client’s
raud of such as BEE status and account SearchWorks allows lawyers
all kinds a survey from CareerBuilder, 75% business, they run the risk of verification, but also harder-to- quick access to accurate data on
Fincreased by of HR managers have caught wind inadvertently being complicit come-by information such as their clients, potential clients, and
a shocking 600% of a CV lie. Making a poor hiring in committing fraud, money checking whether there are any other parties involved in their
over the last decision based on fraudulent or laundering or tax evasion. But sanctions against a company. “To cases. This can help with financial
four years in falsified information can be time- knowing everything about the assist in their role as gatekeepers compliance, legal research and
South Africa. consuming, resource-intensive business entity or client you are in ensuring that their business case preparation, as well as tracing
Clearly, at best, and much more than a dealing with can be complex. only engages with legitimate and investigations in a broad
it’s more costly mistake. At worst – imagine “Besides the importance of having partners and safeguards against spectrum of legal specialties,
important a mining engineer jeopardising access to reliable, up-to-date data fraudulent practices, procurement including conveyancing, litigation,
than ever to the safety of thousands of from several sources, professionals departments need the ability to commercial law, and more.
follow best practices when doing workers underground because need information obtained within thoroughly vet vendors, perform
due diligence before sealing a they exaggerated their previous the remit of the law, aligned with company background checks, and With over 160 different search
business deal with someone – experience. the National Credit Regulator and assist in crucial decision-making types and access to more than
whether client or enterprise. That’s why background checks compliant with POPI regulations,” that ensures that organisations can 20 data sources, platforms like
Robust Know Your Customer are a smart way to uncover any says Kumandan. grow with complete confidence,” SearchWorks have become
indispensable – not only in
(KYC) or Know Your Business red flags that could indicate that The SearchWorks online platform says Kumandan. the fight against fraud, but to
(KYB) checks are one of the best a potential new hire is a risk. allows users to conduct live, SearchWorks’ platform not only increase efficiencies as businesses
ways to mitigate fraud risk, says This involves verifying all the accurate searches on individuals provides reliable data to minimise evolve in an ever-complex world.
Sameer Kumandan, managing information contained on their and companies, and in-depth KYC risk, but reduces employees’ time “Embracing such innovative
director of SearchWorks, CV– from education to work checks online. This gives them and effort digging into various solutions ensures that different
South Africa’s largest and most experience and certifications. access to reliable data such as credit systems when looking for further departments can navigate their
innovative data aggregation Some of the background check checks, deeds checks, exclusive information. It can help with myriad responsibilities with
platform. “Having reliable data use area verifications, valuations credit checks (whether companies greater confidence – and ensure
is crucial before making any searches that can be run on of properties and vehicles, CIPC or individuals), CIPC vetting, asset businesses operate more ethically,
significant business decisions. candidates using SearchWorks records, qualification searches, deeds, VAT verification, sanctions transparently, and proficiently,”
Whether it’s hiring a new employee include ID verification, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), vetting, account verification, says Kumandan.. 
or partnering with a supplier, qualifications checks, social PEP and Sanctions. In addition, default listings, and much more.
having accurate information will media checks, criminal checks, ID and bank account verifications,
not only reduce the risk, but also BEE ID photo verifications, and asset valuations, live tracing on Legal: In the modern landscape, T: 086 034 0000
E: info@searchworks.co.za
provide confidence in the decision- driver’s licence/PDP verification. individual and company records, South African legal professionals W: www.searchworks.co.za
making process.” Other useful checks, especially for and property and directorship can benefit from platforms that
individuals working in finance or aggregate data from various public
But such in-depth checks can to be appointed in leadership roles, searches can all be done within the and private sources, including the
prove to be quite the admin include politically exposed persons confines of the law. Deeds Office, CIPC, credit bureaus,
headache. That’s where a KYC and sanctions, FAIS status, SAFPS Procurement: Onboarding and additional reputable providers.
and onboarding specialist such fraud verification, employment fraudulent suppliers or tender These digital resources offer a

FIRE EXTINGUISHER BASICS

ire extinguishers may be Using the wrong extinguisher ■ Type C: For electrical fires. ■ S = Squeeze. Slowly squeeze extinguishers are in optimal
found in factories, offices, for a specific class of fire can ■ Type D: For flammable the lever while pointing at the working condition and ready
Frestaurants, hotels, homes be dangerous and ineffective. metals, such as magnesium base of the fire. for immediate use in case of a
and even vehicles. They often Understanding the limitations of and titanium. ■ S = Sweep. Move the fire emergency.
tend to get overlooked and their each extinguisher type is crucial extinguisher side to side while
importance and the safety they for safe fire suppression. In some ■ Type K: For cooking oils, squeezing the lever until the Where To Buy Fire
provide ignored, until such time as cases, more than one type of fire grease or animal fats fire is out. Extinguishers?
they are urgently needed. extinguisher may be required How do you use a fire Spot-On Fire Controls (Pty) Ltd
to ensure that safety standards When you go through the PASS is a Level 1 BBBEE fire protection
There are various classes of fire are met. extinguisher? steps, hopefully this puts the fire
extinguishers available in South Fire extinguishers empty company servicing businesses in
Africa. The fire extinguisher ■ The most common types of within seconds, and therefore out. But fire extinguishers have KwaZulu-Natal. The company
selected will be dependent on fire extinguishers are: knowing how to operate one is limitations, if the fire is larger has 33 years of credible
the type of potential hazards ■ Type A: For ordinary essential. You could risk wasting than a rubbish bin, don’t attempt experience in fire protection
that relate to nature of your combustibles, such as wood, the contents of the extinguisher to put it out with a small, standard services. Its expertise includes all
fire extinguisher. Pull the fire
business’s needs. Using the paper, and cloth. without fulfilling its purpose of alarm and evacuate the area. aspects of fire protection as well
correct fire extinguisher on the as provides firefighting training,
potential class of fire is essential. ■ Type B: For flammable liquids, extinguishing the fire. Once its Common Fire Extinguisher which provides their clients with
such as gasoline and oil. contents are done, they are done. peace-of-mind knowing that
Mistakes
If you need to use a fire their assets are covered.
extinguisher, remember the Trained fire safety officers: We offer, inspections
P.A.S.S method for how to use it Ensure those that are in charge of and assessments, supply,
safely and effectively. Each letter the fire extinguishers are familiar installation, and maintenance of
represents one of the four steps with the operation instructions. fire extinguishers. 
to use the extinguisher. Expiry dates: After expiry
■ P = Pull the pin. Grab the fire extinguishers are no longer For more information contact:
extinguisher, hold it away effective so it is extremely Lungani Nene
from your body, and release important to keep a record of T: +27 (0)73 388 8247
the lock pin. these dates. E: info@spotonfirecontrols.co.za
W: www.spotonfirecontrols.co.za
■ A = Aim. Aim the extinguisher Maintenance checks:
towards the base of the fire Establish a routine maintenance
as directing the contents at the schedule to inspect and service
flames or smoke won’t put the fire extinguishers. Regular
fire out. maintenance ensures that the

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