Tag Archives: improper payments

Our New Center for Enhanced Analytics

[The title of this post was changed to correct an error in the name.] Analytics and “big data” seem to be the next frontier in a number of arenas. Data researchers can use the large, real-time data sets that are … Continue reading

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When the Federal Government Makes Improper Payments (podcast)

Federal government agencies made an estimated $137 billion in improper payments in fiscal year 2015. These were payments that shouldn’t have been made at all or were sent in the wrong amount. Here is Beryl Davis, a director in our … Continue reading

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Fraud Awareness Week

As the congressional watchdog, we have dedicated resources to identify, prevent, and respond to allegations of federal government fraud, waste, and abuse because these can result in misuse of taxpayer funds. That’s your money! For International Fraud Awareness Week, here’s … Continue reading

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Big Data 101: Using Large-Scale Data Mining to Find Fraud

You may have heard the term “big data” or “data mining,” but what do those terms mean? Today’s WatchBlog sheds light on how GAO analyzes large amounts of data to identify instances of potential improper payments or fraud.

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What Exactly Are “Improper Payments”?

Improper payments are always an area of concern for the federal government. These include overpayments, underpayments, payments made to ineligible recipients, or even payments that weren’t properly documented. While fraudulent payments are considered improper, not all improper payments are the … Continue reading

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