Shining the light on solar installation fraud
Date published
December 2019
Relevant impacts: Reputational impact and government outcomes impact.
A Clean Energy Council accredited installer and licenced electrician falsely claimed to have conducted 8 solar installations. He signed multiple, small-scale technology certificate documents and Certificates of Electrical Compliance relating to these installations under the Small-scale renewable energy scheme.
The man was fined $5,000 and sentenced to an 18-month Good Behaviour Bond (a court order requiring a person to be of 'good behaviour').
Related fraudster personas
Related countermeasures
Use declarations or acknowledgments to both communicate and confirm that a person understands their obligations and the consequences for non-compliance. The declaration could be written or verbal, and should encourage compliance and deter fraud.
Clear eligibility requirements and only approve requests or claims that meet the criteria. This can include internal requests for staff access to systems or information.
Analyse data to improve processes and controls, increase payment accuracy and find and prevent non-compliance, fraud and corruption.
Verify any requests or claim information you receive with an independent and credible source.
Automatically notify clients or staff about high-risk events or transactions. This can alert them to potential fraud and avoid delays in investigating and responding to fraud.
Put in place processes for staff or external parties to lodge tip-offs or Public Interest Disclosures.
Require clients, staff and third parties to have ongoing compliance, performance and contract reviews.
Investigate fraud in line with the Australian Government Investigation Standards (AGIS).
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