Federal Agencies Lag in Evaluating Anti-Fraud Efforts, GAO Report Finds

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a technical appendix to its 2015 Fraud Risk Framework, highlighting significant shortcomings in how federal agencies evaluate their efforts to combat fraud. The report, published on January 14, 2026, indicates that despite the framework’s guidance, many agencies are not adequately assessing the effectiveness of their anti-fraud programs, potentially leading to substantial losses of taxpayer dollars and a decline in public trust.

The GAO’s findings stem from a 2023 survey of 24 federal agencies, which revealed that a concerning one-third of these agencies lack regular monitoring or evaluation activities for their fraud risk management efforts. Furthermore, half of the surveyed agencies do not consistently implement changes based on the results of their evaluations. This lack of consistent assessment and adaptation undermines the integrity of programs and the responsible stewardship of public funds.

The Fraud Risk Framework, initially issued in 2015, provides a comprehensive set of leading practices designed to help program managers strategically and proactively address fraud. It is organized into four key components: fostering an organizational culture committed to combating fraud, conducting thorough risk assessments, implementing specific control activities through a designed strategy, and crucially, evaluating and adapting fraud risk management activities. The GAO’s latest publication specifically focuses on the fourth component, offering practical approaches for managers to evaluate program outcomes using a risk-based methodology and to adapt their strategies for improved fraud prevention and detection.

The report emphasizes that demonstrating robust internal controls and program integrity is paramount to protecting taxpayer money and maintaining public confidence. Evaluations serve as a critical tool for agencies to showcase the value and effectiveness of their fraud risk management initiatives. By understanding how well their current measures are performing, program managers can make necessary adjustments to better safeguard agency resources. The technical appendix provides examples, methods, and considerations that can be adapted to various program sizes and circumstances, recognizing that agencies operate with differing levels of resources. While primarily aimed at federal program managers, the GAO suggests these approaches may also be beneficial for state, local, and international government agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations involved in fraud risk management.

The federal government experiences hundreds of billions of dollars in losses annually due to fraud. The GAO’s 2015 Fraud Risk Framework was developed to assist managers in preventing, detecting, and responding to these fraudulent activities. However, the recent survey indicates that agencies are still struggling with the implementation of these practices, particularly in the evaluation and adaptation stages. This persistent challenge exists even though agencies are expected to utilize the framework’s leading practices. The new technical appendix is intended to bridge this gap by offering concrete methods for managers to assess their anti-fraud activities and make data-driven improvements. This proactive approach is essential for safeguarding federal programs and ensuring public funds are used for their intended purposes.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

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