ORLANDO, Fla. – Fraud prevention successes at larger organizations means higher risks to smaller organizations. According to Pratt & Associates Fraud Service Manager John C. Askew, one key to lowering deposit account fraud is having less confidence in the status quo. "The first three letters in confidence says it all-con," said Askew. "The best cons put you at ease and gain your confidence to avoid having their actions questioned." Credit unions should always be reviewing their exposure points, and have a series of fraud control solutions to cover "pulse points" throughout the workflow. Successful strategies against deposit account fraud include automating detection/prevention when the cost is justifiable; centralizing fraud detection functions; creating corporate level "steering committees" in charge of making sure the credit union not only invests in a fraud prevention program but shows the return on the investment is worth maintaining; and instituting accurate loss and loss avoidance measurements and reporting. "The criminals aren't here at a conference," said Askew. "They are over in Marco Island or Naples with our credit cards and spending our money." [email protected]