How to handle employee misuse of corporate credit cards?

While corporate credit cards do offer a ton of benefits, they can leave businesses vulnerable to employee misuse of credit card funds. Employees may overspend, make unauthorized transactions, or submit erroneous expense reports. Businesses can mitigate these risks with clear policy implementation and reporting procedures.

Preventing employee misuse of company credit cards

Businesses should only issue corporate credit cards to trustworthy employees. Issuers usually have minimum requirements of 15 cardholders, but it’s a good idea to limit the number as much as possible. Only employees who make frequent business transactions need one, and they should never give them to anyone else.

Communicate corporate credit card policy clearly to all employees. They should understand which transactions are authorised and how much they can spend each month. Outline the consequences for misuse and be clear that those in violation may be dismissed and prosecuted.

You can reduce misuse by setting spending limits and restrictions on expense categories. Corporate credit card issuers allow you to set terms for each employee so they only have access to the funds they need.

Choosing corporate credit cards with joint liability encourage employee accountability. Employees are responsible for paying credit card transactions themselves. The company then reimburses them upon the submitting and reviewal of expense reports. Make sure employees include original receipts and submit expense reports by a monthly deadline.

Organizations can identify suspicious activity by regularly reviewing corporate credit card usage. Credit card issuers may also offer to notify the company and set alerts of unusual or substantial transactions.

What to do if you suspect misuse of credit cards

Even when companies have taken all the preventative steps, corporate credit card misuse can still happen. If you suspect an employee is violating the terms of their corporate credit card, act fast.

Check statements, receipts, and expense reports for regular violations. Remember that a one-off incident may just be a misunderstanding or accident, so be open-minded and fair in your approach. If these confirm your suspicions, immediately suspend or cancel the credit card.

Gather any documentation you need to conduct an investigation, including statements, receipts, and a ‘back-end’ card transaction report from the credit card issuer. This confirms the point of sale and PIN usage on transactions. It can challenge any claims by the employee that the card was lost, stolen, or skimmed.

You may decide to launch an internal investigation for smaller incidents of misconduct. If the company has insufficient resources or the investigation is against a senior member of staff, it may be worth hiring an external investigator. If the fraudulent activity is more serious, report it to the police.

Elevate your corporate card program

Creating a responsible and efficient corporate card program isn't just about handing out plastic. It's about fostering trust and accountability within your team. Clear communication around expectations and policies sets the foundation. Strong safeguards like spending limits and real-time transaction monitoring act as a safety net. But to truly elevate your program, you need the right tools in your corner.

Brex's corporate card isn't your average company credit card. It's packed with features that make managing team spending a breeze. Built-in spending controls let you set limits by category or employee, giving you granular control over expenses. Real-time expense tracking provides instant visibility into what your team is spending so you can catch any anomalies on the fly. Plus, Brex's powerful spend management software allows you to automate tedious tasks, enforce spending rules quickly, and generate detailed reports that give you a deeper understanding of your company's financial health.

Clear communication and robust security measures – that's the foundation. But with Brex's innovative tools, you can build a culture of accountability that fosters trust and keeps your business humming. Sign up for a free Brex account today and see how we can help you create a responsible and efficient corporate card program.