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Waste, Fraud, Abuse and Government Charge Cards

Get a Grip

ACO
DCMA
Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:01 PM

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Agreed, intentional waste, fraud & abuse should be punished. If an employee misunderstands the requirements of a credit card, then train & educate that employee as to the proper usage. But, FedSmith, get off this kick that fed employees generally are to blame for the sins of the few; you (should) know better. The fact is, the U.S. Govt is the largest domestic employer in the country. As with any large population of human beings, there will be good, bad & indifferent members of the group. Abuse of the system is by SOME federal employees, not ALL. Don't contribute to the negative image we live with by implying that we're all to blame. And yes, I'm as outraged as the next person at the wrongdoing - but I'd also be outraged at the same things being done by those in the private sector; state & local govt; military; & non-profit organizations.

Government Travel Card

HR - Employee Relations
USDA
Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:06 PM

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In my position I help managers discipline employees who missuse their travel cards such as non-payment of balances, excessive use, improper purchases and the like. My problem is this: We, Federal Employees, are mandated to use our travel cards for all travel expenses. We are not allowed, by policy, to use our own credit cards for such purchases as lodging, meals, expenses or else face disciplinary action. You put it in the correct perspective, the Government is profiting from its use. We cannot gain frequent flier or other purchase program benefits. Each travel card is tied to the individual's credit, not the Govt. I wish Agencies would mandate the use for specific purchases like airline tickets and rental cars (specific rates and insurance protection) and leave the other purchases to the individual's choice. Afterall it is their credit line at stake not the Govt.'s This would eliminate a large amount of discipline for improper useage...but then the Govt wouldn't get its cut.

Re: Government Travel Card

Just retired
IRS
Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:03 AM
As a frequent traveler until I retired a couple of months ago, I have just a couple of comments on your posting. In all the years I had a government travel card, that card was never listed as an existing credit card on my personal credit report. Secondly, the rules changed a few years ago and we are allowed to receive frequent flyer and hotel benefit program points and use them for our own personal travel. I used both hotel and airline points for vacation travle and seat upgrades.

GAO Report is Wrong

Employee Relations Superviosr
Justice
Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:18 PM

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As somebody who helps discipline (including firing) employees for abusing their credit cards, let me assure you that the problem is taken seriously. However the GAO report was so poorly written and had conclusions not based on evidence presented that the true crimes were the news articles and commentaries that relied on this hog wash. I encourage everbody to read the original report and the GSA reply. The main problem is that the auditors created a rule (independent receipt) that didn’t exist in the purchase card guidance. Then they counted all purchases that didn’t have this as improper. The purchase card program was implemented to reduce bureaucracy. There is already independent review of purchases. Why add an additional layer?
Also, GAO cited examples of individuals caught under the current controls as proof that the current system is not working. Huh?
Finally, the writers seemingly mixed up the two separate purchase and travel card programs to further confuse readers.

Gov't Charge Cards

Reformed Conservative
DFAS
Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:10 AM

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I have a question: what is the reason for not having the employee pay up front, perhaps with his own credit card, and then cutting a check, or a direct deposit, to reimburse him? It seems as if that would be simpler as well as cheaper.

Re: Gov't Charge Cards

ATSS
FAA
Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:02 AM
We used to do exactly that. It was called imprest funds, and I was in charge of it. An employee would buy something needed for the agency, let's say a circuit breaker, they would bring me a signed receipt and a form signed by the supervisor, and they would be paid back. If the purchase was large they would sign for the cash and then bring back a receipt.
Agencies did not like this because it tied up millions in cash in the field that may just sit for a period of time.
We then changed over to checks. The employee would arrange a purchase, get a signed authorization and I would issue a check.
The agency then decided to issue purchase cards to each employee. We are supposed to get permission from our boss, make the purchase. Once a month we print out the statement and turn it in. If a fraudulant purchase was made it will show uo then and there.
That is when action should be taken.
Travel card bills are sent directly to us, and must be paid when travel voucher clears.

Re: Gov't Charge Cards

Log mgt Spec
Army
Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:36 AM
If you can guarantee that my voucher won't get lost in DFAS, I don't have a problem with it. However, several times it has taken more than two months for a standard voucher to be paid. If it's on the gov't card, I can call the finance office here, and not be penalized. If it's on my card, the interest will start accumulating; my card doesn't care that I haven't been paid yet.

Re: Gov't Charge Cards

Analyst
USDA
Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:23 AM
Sorry, but the Imprest Fund was abused MORE than the credit card. There were numerous instances of Imprest Fund cashiers dipping their hands into the cash drawer. Officials wanted to prosecute the cashiers but in several instances decided that it would be better to keep them on the job (in another position that did not involve the handling of cash) so that they could get the money back from deductions in their pay. Issuance of credit cards just provided another way to steal.

Best Solution to Purchase Card Abuse

Supv
Navy
Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:24 AM

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Hire back the 1105's (purchasing agents) from the 90s that they let go because they weren't needed anymore because of the purchase card or hire new ones. Problems were almost unheard of when we had properly trained civilians who took their contracting warrant serious, this was their full time job and they did it quite well and were good stewards of taxpayers money often at only a GS 6 or 7 level. They weren't appreciated for all their hard work and were pushed to the side when the card program began and we've had problems every since! I'm sure the policy makers know this, but I left to believe the problem must not be bad enough because they know how to fix it, in the meantime, it appears, their solution is institute more regulations/policys for the rest of us to follow.

Same Agencies

Former Analyst
IRS
Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:14 AM

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It seems like these reports over the years have cited the same few agancies as the examples of the egrigious abuse. Why doesn't GAO audit the offending agencies more often instaed of tarring the entire workforce with the same brush? Oh wait, that wouldn't give them nearly the same amount of publicity would it? Adding controls for agencies who already have strong controls and little abuse makes no sense. But it will allow GAO to pretend they've accomplished something.

WHO? Waste, Fraud, Abuse -Government Charge Cards

WORKER
USMC
Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:34 PM

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I read these articiles and wonder who is doing this??

I have been working for this command for a lot of years.
Our contract department has always been so strick on use of the government credit card.
They monitor our every purchase.
We have to get five approving signatures before we can purchase any product or training.
We are told that these are standard operating procedures and government regulations. We also have to take a DOD on-line Credit Card Use course - on how to use the credit card.

So what group is not following the rules?

We could make these individuals stand by the busy freeway and hold a sign that says -
"I MISS USED THE GOVERNEMENT CREDIT CARD THAT WAS ISSUEd TO ME - Please thow tomates at me"
A couple of times of being embrassed and I don't think they will miss use the credit card again.

Have the abusers been RE-TRAINED on the correct use of the Governemnt Credit Card?
Has the government requested the abuser return the money?

Total Comments: 22
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