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investigation, NCIS will apprise the claimant’s CO of
the action contemplated.
Before being originated by the DO’s CO, requests
for NCIS investigations should be carefully considered
to make sure probable fraud exists. Generally speaking,
the NCIS, in the absence of aggravated circumstances,
will not investigate suspected fraud that involves
nonreceipt items such as meals, laundry expenses, and
tips.
“Aggravated circumstances” might include
situations in which an individual claimant, who is
making a series of travel claims or one claim covering
an extended period, consistently claims expenses that
the DO has legitimate cause to suspect are fraudulent.
Lack of a formal investigation does not prevent the
DO from questioning certain items of expense that
appear to be excessive or unnecessary. In those cases
where doubt continues to exist, the claim or reclaim will
be forwarded as a doubtful claim according to the NTI.
The DO will transmit the claim with a cover letter
stating specific information as to why the claim is
considered doubtful.
As a senior DK, you maybe called upon to help the
DO watch for and deal with suspected fraudulent
claims. Closely examine all travel claims for possible
fraud, using the guidelines in the DODFMR, Volume 5.
Be alert for the following situations, any of which might
indicate a fraudulent claim:
The claim includes lodging receipts that appear
to be altered or in the form of stationery store
receipts.
The claim for a reimbursable expense is not
supported by the original vendor’s receipt
(where required) or includes a vendor’s receipt
that appears altered.
Claims for actual expense allowances show the
same amounts for meals each day.
Meal amounts or amounts for incidental
expenses appear to be contrived to approximate
the maximum locality rates.
A member on PCS shows a privately owned
conveyance as the mode of transportation, but
other information in the claim gives cause for
doubt.
As a senior DK, you can do a great deal to prevent waste,
fraud, and abuse of travel allowances.
SUMMARY
As stated at the beginning of this chapter, the
computation of travel and the processing of travel
claims are the most complex areas of disbursing. Many
variables can have a significant effect on whether an
entitlement is due and how much is due for that
entitlement.
The regulations governing travel
allowances and the allowances due are constantly
changing. The JFTR, Volume 1, is updated on a
monthly basis. You must constantly be aware of the
changes and implement them immediately to prevent
overpayments or underpayment. Because travel is so
complicated, the opportunity for waste, fraud, or abuse
exists more than in most areas. You must be ever
vigilant for the appearance of these abuses. When in
doubt always consult the JFTR or NTI.
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