Office of the Washington State Auditor
@wastateauditor.bsky.social
Working on behalf of the public to promote accountability and transparency of government in Washington state. Learn more at https://sao.wa.gov.
We’ve talked all week—Fraud Awareness Week for those of you keeping score at home—about fighting fraud, so it seemed only appropriate we end the week with this great leave-behind from ACFE entitled, “How to be a fraud fighter in your organization.” https://ow.ly/SxQf50X9vG3
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
We’ve talked all week—Fraud Awareness Week for those of you keeping score at home—about fighting fraud, so it seemed only appropriate we end the week with this great leave-behind from ACFE entitled, “How to be a fraud fighter in your organization.” https://ow.ly/SxQf50X9vG3
ICYMI: Our latest episode of The Aud Pod podcast features SAO’s Assistant Director of Special Investigations, Brandi Pritchard, as she discusses the state of fraud in government, emerging trends, real life cases and more. Don't miss it! #FraudWeek
Fighting fraud in government: How SAO’s efforts help protect public resources
The Aud Pod · Episode
ow.ly
November 21, 2025 at 9:00 PM
ICYMI: Our latest episode of The Aud Pod podcast features SAO’s Assistant Director of Special Investigations, Brandi Pritchard, as she discusses the state of fraud in government, emerging trends, real life cases and more. Don't miss it! #FraudWeek
Numbers don’t lie: Training employees about the risks and costs of fraud can help reduce losses and ensure fraud is caught more quickly. Check out the stats in this PDF: https://ow.ly/Ck9y50X9vFa
#FraudWeek
#FraudWeek
November 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Numbers don’t lie: Training employees about the risks and costs of fraud can help reduce losses and ensure fraud is caught more quickly. Check out the stats in this PDF: https://ow.ly/Ck9y50X9vFa
#FraudWeek
#FraudWeek
Some ‘old school’ fraud schemes just won’t go away, like check fraud. Learn some of the red flags and how to protect yourself in this handy PDF from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE): https://ow.ly/WkER50X9vCZ
#FraudWeek
#FraudWeek
November 20, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Some ‘old school’ fraud schemes just won’t go away, like check fraud. Learn some of the red flags and how to protect yourself in this handy PDF from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE): https://ow.ly/WkER50X9vCZ
#FraudWeek
#FraudWeek
“Trust, but verify” is sort of a mantra around our Office, so much so that we developed this resource to help elected officials and appointed boards understand their role in fighting employee fraud. Download it today: https://ow.ly/1QXM50X9vy3
#FraudWeek
#FraudWeek
November 20, 2025 at 7:25 PM
“Trust, but verify” is sort of a mantra around our Office, so much so that we developed this resource to help elected officials and appointed boards understand their role in fighting employee fraud. Download it today: https://ow.ly/1QXM50X9vy3
#FraudWeek
#FraudWeek
Having the proper internal controls in place can do wonders for your local government’s fraud-prevention efforts. Learn how our training can help in this short testimonial video.
#fraudweek
#fraudweek
Internal Controls Training for Local Governments: Focus on Pend Oreille County
The State Auditor’s Office (SAO) knows that having strong internal controls is critical for local governments to help them prevent and detect fraud, and run ...
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Having the proper internal controls in place can do wonders for your local government’s fraud-prevention efforts. Learn how our training can help in this short testimonial video.
#fraudweek
#fraudweek
In this episode of the ACFE's Fraud Talk podcast, you’ll learn how fraudsters are capitalizing on overworked teams, rushed vendor payments and internal blind spots to execute sophisticated payment scams. #FraudWeek
How Fraudsters Target Lean Teams and Fast-Moving Companies - Shai Gabay - Fraud Talk - Episode 159
Fraud Talk · Episode
open.spotify.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
In this episode of the ACFE's Fraud Talk podcast, you’ll learn how fraudsters are capitalizing on overworked teams, rushed vendor payments and internal blind spots to execute sophisticated payment scams. #FraudWeek
Welcome to Wordle Wednesday! See if you can solve our custom puzzle today with this clue: "Misuse of public funds."
Wordle Puzzle Created By SAO
Choose a word for friends to guess, then share your own puzzle.
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Welcome to Wordle Wednesday! See if you can solve our custom puzzle today with this clue: "Misuse of public funds."
As part of our efforts to help local governments prevent fraud, our experts provide training and outreach throughout the year at conferences and seminars across the state—more than two dozen so far in 2025!
Find fraud-prevention resources and learn more: at sao.wa.gov/fraud
Find fraud-prevention resources and learn more: at sao.wa.gov/fraud
November 19, 2025 at 7:50 PM
As part of our efforts to help local governments prevent fraud, our experts provide training and outreach throughout the year at conferences and seminars across the state—more than two dozen so far in 2025!
Find fraud-prevention resources and learn more: at sao.wa.gov/fraud
Find fraud-prevention resources and learn more: at sao.wa.gov/fraud
Our published performance audit cited in this story by ICT News can be found on our website: https://ow.ly/IMK550XtAH7
Delayed ownership deepens Native housing crisis - ICT
Advocates and lawmakers are pushing for reform to ensure more than 300 Native families finally gain homeownership promised through a state-managed federal housing program.
ictnews.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Our published performance audit cited in this story by ICT News can be found on our website: https://ow.ly/IMK550XtAH7
Examining the characteristics of occupational fraud that occurs at governmental organizations can help illuminate some of the issues and risks specific to these entities at all levels.
Learn more in this PDF from the ACFE: https://ow.ly/Z4zT50X8SBn
Learn more in this PDF from the ACFE: https://ow.ly/Z4zT50X8SBn
November 19, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Examining the characteristics of occupational fraud that occurs at governmental organizations can help illuminate some of the issues and risks specific to these entities at all levels.
Learn more in this PDF from the ACFE: https://ow.ly/Z4zT50X8SBn
Learn more in this PDF from the ACFE: https://ow.ly/Z4zT50X8SBn
Did you know that our Office has more than two dozen Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE)?
As trained professionals they’re skilled in helping prevent, detect and investigate fraud on behalf of Washingtonians. Learn more about this certification: https://www.acfe.com/cfe-credential
#fraudweek
As trained professionals they’re skilled in helping prevent, detect and investigate fraud on behalf of Washingtonians. Learn more about this certification: https://www.acfe.com/cfe-credential
#fraudweek
November 18, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Did you know that our Office has more than two dozen Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE)?
As trained professionals they’re skilled in helping prevent, detect and investigate fraud on behalf of Washingtonians. Learn more about this certification: https://www.acfe.com/cfe-credential
#fraudweek
As trained professionals they’re skilled in helping prevent, detect and investigate fraud on behalf of Washingtonians. Learn more about this certification: https://www.acfe.com/cfe-credential
#fraudweek
Love infographics? Hate fraud? We have you covered with this visual depiction of common fraudster traits: https://ow.ly/8i5g50X8Sqy
Thank you to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) for the great data, not to mention fraud-prevention diligence! #fraudweek
Thank you to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) for the great data, not to mention fraud-prevention diligence! #fraudweek
November 18, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Love infographics? Hate fraud? We have you covered with this visual depiction of common fraudster traits: https://ow.ly/8i5g50X8Sqy
Thank you to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) for the great data, not to mention fraud-prevention diligence! #fraudweek
Thank you to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) for the great data, not to mention fraud-prevention diligence! #fraudweek
Through their work over the years, our fraud-prevention experts have identified six common traits of scams related to change-payment requests.
Want to know what they are, and get a colorful printout as a reminder to boot? Glad you asked: https://ow.ly/9PUN50XpBZs
Want to know what they are, and get a colorful printout as a reminder to boot? Glad you asked: https://ow.ly/9PUN50XpBZs
November 18, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Through their work over the years, our fraud-prevention experts have identified six common traits of scams related to change-payment requests.
Want to know what they are, and get a colorful printout as a reminder to boot? Glad you asked: https://ow.ly/9PUN50XpBZs
Want to know what they are, and get a colorful printout as a reminder to boot? Glad you asked: https://ow.ly/9PUN50XpBZs
https://youtu.be/o2hypOyaHZk?si=Xx1PsDQUQKxU2kVY
Why do people commit fraud? This informative video from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) explores why, and how organizations can prevent it.
#fraudweek
Why do people commit fraud? This informative video from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) explores why, and how organizations can prevent it.
#fraudweek
November 17, 2025 at 10:15 PM
https://youtu.be/o2hypOyaHZk?si=Xx1PsDQUQKxU2kVY
Why do people commit fraud? This informative video from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) explores why, and how organizations can prevent it.
#fraudweek
Why do people commit fraud? This informative video from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) explores why, and how organizations can prevent it.
#fraudweek
Listen to our latest episode of The Aud Pod podcast as SAO’s Assistant Director of Special Investigations, Brandi Pritchard, discusses the state of fraud in government, emerging trends, real life cases and more.
Fighting fraud in government: How SAO’s efforts help protect public resources
The Aud Pod · Episode
open.spotify.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Listen to our latest episode of The Aud Pod podcast as SAO’s Assistant Director of Special Investigations, Brandi Pritchard, discusses the state of fraud in government, emerging trends, real life cases and more.
Statistics show social media posts with pets are 17% more likely to be read.
Now that we have your attention here’s another stat: Local governments incur an average loss of $125,000 per fraud occurrence. See our fraud-prevention resources: https://www.sao.wa.gov/resource-library/Fraud-Prevention
Now that we have your attention here’s another stat: Local governments incur an average loss of $125,000 per fraud occurrence. See our fraud-prevention resources: https://www.sao.wa.gov/resource-library/Fraud-Prevention
November 17, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Statistics show social media posts with pets are 17% more likely to be read.
Now that we have your attention here’s another stat: Local governments incur an average loss of $125,000 per fraud occurrence. See our fraud-prevention resources: https://www.sao.wa.gov/resource-library/Fraud-Prevention
Now that we have your attention here’s another stat: Local governments incur an average loss of $125,000 per fraud occurrence. See our fraud-prevention resources: https://www.sao.wa.gov/resource-library/Fraud-Prevention
This year marks the 25th year of Fraud Awareness Week, and we’re proud to represent a long-standing community of fraud fighters! As part of our efforts, we're also proud to offer great resources at no charge to local governments like this: https://ow.ly/BvlM50X8ONo
November 17, 2025 at 5:20 PM
This year marks the 25th year of Fraud Awareness Week, and we’re proud to represent a long-standing community of fraud fighters! As part of our efforts, we're also proud to offer great resources at no charge to local governments like this: https://ow.ly/BvlM50X8ONo
Here's a custom Wordle puzzle to get you tuned up for Fraud Awareness Week next week! #FraudWeek
Wordle Puzzle Created By SAO
Choose a word for friends to guess, then share your own puzzle.
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Here's a custom Wordle puzzle to get you tuned up for Fraud Awareness Week next week! #FraudWeek
Fraud Awareness Weeks starts in 48 hours (ish), but we got a head start with our latest e-newsletter that’s packed with fraud prevention tips, tools and more. Read all about it and sign up to start receiving news and updates from our Office today: https://conta.cc/496YdUe
November 14, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Fraud Awareness Weeks starts in 48 hours (ish), but we got a head start with our latest e-newsletter that’s packed with fraud prevention tips, tools and more. Read all about it and sign up to start receiving news and updates from our Office today: https://conta.cc/496YdUe
Fraud Awareness Week is almost here! It’s a full week, Nov. 16-22, dedicated to raising awareness about fraud in government organizations, businesses and communities. It's also about educating people on how to prevent fraud.
See what's in store: https://ow.ly/7zsX50XputJ
See what's in store: https://ow.ly/7zsX50XputJ
November 13, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Fraud Awareness Week is almost here! It’s a full week, Nov. 16-22, dedicated to raising awareness about fraud in government organizations, businesses and communities. It's also about educating people on how to prevent fraud.
See what's in store: https://ow.ly/7zsX50XputJ
See what's in store: https://ow.ly/7zsX50XputJ
Promoting accountability and transparency in government takes hundreds of hard-working, dedicated public servants—like the SAOers we recently recognized for their milestones, achievements and certifications with our Office. Thank you for serving Washingtonians! #WeAreSAO
November 13, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Promoting accountability and transparency in government takes hundreds of hard-working, dedicated public servants—like the SAOers we recently recognized for their milestones, achievements and certifications with our Office. Thank you for serving Washingtonians! #WeAreSAO
Are you attending the Washington State Association of Counties Leaders Conference Nov. 18-20 in Spokane? If so, you won't want to miss SAO's Lean session dedicated to maximizing existing resources to boost efficiency.
Learn more about our no-charge Lean services today: https://ow.ly/9CY650XqMMS
Learn more about our no-charge Lean services today: https://ow.ly/9CY650XqMMS
November 13, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Are you attending the Washington State Association of Counties Leaders Conference Nov. 18-20 in Spokane? If so, you won't want to miss SAO's Lean session dedicated to maximizing existing resources to boost efficiency.
Learn more about our no-charge Lean services today: https://ow.ly/9CY650XqMMS
Learn more about our no-charge Lean services today: https://ow.ly/9CY650XqMMS
If published reports aren't for you, you can still learn about our recent performance audit work in this video presentation by SAO experts to lawmakers earlier this month. Grab some popcorn and enjoy!
Special Education Services—Comparing student needs to district funding: SAO Performance Audit
Properly identifying students eligible for special education services is critical for determining how federal and state funding is applied. In the 2023-24 sc...
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 11:45 PM
If published reports aren't for you, you can still learn about our recent performance audit work in this video presentation by SAO experts to lawmakers earlier this month. Grab some popcorn and enjoy!
https://ow.ly/lKmH50XpKZl
ICYMI: Our published report cited in this story by whid can be found on our website: https://ow.ly/F6qU50XpKZm
ICYMI: Our published report cited in this story by whid can be found on our website: https://ow.ly/F6qU50XpKZm
State Auditor issues finding against ICOM | South Whidbey Record
The financial statements audit report covers the period of Jan. 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2023.
ow.ly
November 12, 2025 at 5:10 PM
https://ow.ly/lKmH50XpKZl
ICYMI: Our published report cited in this story by whid can be found on our website: https://ow.ly/F6qU50XpKZm
ICYMI: Our published report cited in this story by whid can be found on our website: https://ow.ly/F6qU50XpKZm