Occupational fraud is a crime generally committed by employees against their employers. Ironically, employees also are most likely to notice or suspect occupational fraud schemes conducted by their coworkers or managers. Whether they report through an anonymous tipline or directly to management or HR, rank-and-file workers often are the first to raise the alarm. If an employee alleges that someone has committed theft or fraud, or simply exhibits suspicious behavior, it’s your responsibility to take the charges seriously and investigate them. Here’s how. Preliminary digging If you receive a fraud tip, you’ll need to assess its validity by conducting preliminary interviews — even if you plan to eventually turn the investigation over to legal and fraud experts. To help avoid unnecessary legal complications, keep details of any allegation...