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
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
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
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
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
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
"I encourage all of us to take a moment to recognize the veterans in our lives – coworkers, neighbors, friends and family members. Choosing to place the needs of the nation above one’s own is no small act, and we remain grateful for those who have done so."
– State Auditor Pat McCarthy
– State Auditor Pat McCarthy
November 10, 2025 at 9:01 PM
"I encourage all of us to take a moment to recognize the veterans in our lives – coworkers, neighbors, friends and family members. Choosing to place the needs of the nation above one’s own is no small act, and we remain grateful for those who have done so."
– State Auditor Pat McCarthy
– State Auditor Pat McCarthy
How does our state do when it comes to serving the more than 140,000 students that need special education services?
Tune in to TVW Wednesday at https://ow.ly/Hiy650Xitc3 and find out as our experts present the results of our latest performance audit that examined this very question.
Tune in to TVW Wednesday at https://ow.ly/Hiy650Xitc3 and find out as our experts present the results of our latest performance audit that examined this very question.
November 3, 2025 at 8:10 PM
How does our state do when it comes to serving the more than 140,000 students that need special education services?
Tune in to TVW Wednesday at https://ow.ly/Hiy650Xitc3 and find out as our experts present the results of our latest performance audit that examined this very question.
Tune in to TVW Wednesday at https://ow.ly/Hiy650Xitc3 and find out as our experts present the results of our latest performance audit that examined this very question.
🎃SAOers from our offices around the state gathered this week to celebrate the spookiest of seasons 👻with costume contests, treats, and a cornucopia of donations to local food banks. Way to show that SAO spirit!
October 31, 2025 at 10:55 PM
🎃SAOers from our offices around the state gathered this week to celebrate the spookiest of seasons 👻with costume contests, treats, and a cornucopia of donations to local food banks. Way to show that SAO spirit!
The last day of Cybersecurity Awareness Month falls on Halloween, but it’s a great reminder not to fall for phishing scams and other schemes orchestrated by bad actors.
Visit our library of free cybersecurity resources for governments today: https://www.sao.wa.gov/resource-library/Cybersecurity
Visit our library of free cybersecurity resources for governments today: https://www.sao.wa.gov/resource-library/Cybersecurity
October 31, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The last day of Cybersecurity Awareness Month falls on Halloween, but it’s a great reminder not to fall for phishing scams and other schemes orchestrated by bad actors.
Visit our library of free cybersecurity resources for governments today: https://www.sao.wa.gov/resource-library/Cybersecurity
Visit our library of free cybersecurity resources for governments today: https://www.sao.wa.gov/resource-library/Cybersecurity
With Cybersecurity Awareness Month coming to a close, we thought we’d leave you with a handy tip sheet to print, ponder and put into practice. Read more and download it today: https://intellipaat.com/blog/cyber-security-tips-best-practices/
October 30, 2025 at 7:40 PM
With Cybersecurity Awareness Month coming to a close, we thought we’d leave you with a handy tip sheet to print, ponder and put into practice. Read more and download it today: https://intellipaat.com/blog/cyber-security-tips-best-practices/
Shout out to SAOers in Olympia for getting together earlier this week for a Halloween-theme lunch featuring a costume contest and potluck competition. (With all the great food, really, everyone was a winner!)
Staff also coordinated donations for the Thurston County Food Bank. #ScaryFunAtSAO
Staff also coordinated donations for the Thurston County Food Bank. #ScaryFunAtSAO
October 30, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Shout out to SAOers in Olympia for getting together earlier this week for a Halloween-theme lunch featuring a costume contest and potluck competition. (With all the great food, really, everyone was a winner!)
Staff also coordinated donations for the Thurston County Food Bank. #ScaryFunAtSAO
Staff also coordinated donations for the Thurston County Food Bank. #ScaryFunAtSAO
Dying to know what cemetery districts are and why they matter? Dig up more details about these little-known local governments that use taxpayer dollars with our Financial Intelligence Tool (FIT) including revenues, expenses and more: https://ow.ly/s7Wv50X18qJ
October 28, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Dying to know what cemetery districts are and why they matter? Dig up more details about these little-known local governments that use taxpayer dollars with our Financial Intelligence Tool (FIT) including revenues, expenses and more: https://ow.ly/s7Wv50X18qJ
We're coming to Central Kitsap High School Career Day, are you?
It's Wednesday, Oct. 29 from Noon - 3:30 p.m. and we'll have a friendly SAO representative on hand to talk about what our Office does, what it's like to work here, answer your questions and more. Learn more: https://ow.ly/4kxV50Xep2f
It's Wednesday, Oct. 29 from Noon - 3:30 p.m. and we'll have a friendly SAO representative on hand to talk about what our Office does, what it's like to work here, answer your questions and more. Learn more: https://ow.ly/4kxV50Xep2f
October 27, 2025 at 5:05 PM
We're coming to Central Kitsap High School Career Day, are you?
It's Wednesday, Oct. 29 from Noon - 3:30 p.m. and we'll have a friendly SAO representative on hand to talk about what our Office does, what it's like to work here, answer your questions and more. Learn more: https://ow.ly/4kxV50Xep2f
It's Wednesday, Oct. 29 from Noon - 3:30 p.m. and we'll have a friendly SAO representative on hand to talk about what our Office does, what it's like to work here, answer your questions and more. Learn more: https://ow.ly/4kxV50Xep2f
Thank you to Association of Washington Cities for hosting its RSMA annual meeting earlier this month and having SAO’s Niles Kostick and Brandi Pritchard as guest speakers!
We appreciate the chance to share resources that help local governments help the people they serve: https://ow.ly/m7RF50XhO9o
We appreciate the chance to share resources that help local governments help the people they serve: https://ow.ly/m7RF50XhO9o
October 24, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Thank you to Association of Washington Cities for hosting its RSMA annual meeting earlier this month and having SAO’s Niles Kostick and Brandi Pritchard as guest speakers!
We appreciate the chance to share resources that help local governments help the people they serve: https://ow.ly/m7RF50XhO9o
We appreciate the chance to share resources that help local governments help the people they serve: https://ow.ly/m7RF50XhO9o
As we’ve said a few times this month (a.k.a. #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth) cybersecurity is everyone’s job, so here’s a PDF with some quick tips on how you can help prevent cybercrime in your role as a local government employee: https://ow.ly/Hzlv50X5KnK
October 23, 2025 at 10:15 PM
As we’ve said a few times this month (a.k.a. #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth) cybersecurity is everyone’s job, so here’s a PDF with some quick tips on how you can help prevent cybercrime in your role as a local government employee: https://ow.ly/Hzlv50X5KnK