NASC tackles an emerging threat with new fraud guidance for scaffolding businesses

The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has published CG28:26 Fraud Awareness and Prevention for Scaffolding Contractors and Suppliers, a new guidance note helping businesses across the scaffolding industry prevent and respond to fraud.

Fraud is a growing risk for construction businesses, and scaffolding contractors are particularly exposed as the industry has a transient workforce that creates openings fraudsters are increasingly willing to exploit.

There is a common assumption that fraud is only a problem for large organisations. In practice, smaller contractors can be just as vulnerable, and often have fewer controls, less segregation of duties and no dedicated finance or IT function to help safeguard the organisation. A single mandate fraud, where a fraudster poses as a supplier and changes bank details on an invoice, can be enough to cause serious damage to a small business.

CG28:26 sets out the main fraud risks facing the sector, with practical examples and prevention measures for each area of the business. These include:

• Purchasing fraud: inflated or false invoices, ghost suppliers, and collusion between employees and suppliers
• Telephone fraud: calls and texts impersonating suppliers, banks or HMRC to pressure staff into urgent payments
• IT fraud and cybercrime: phishing, ransomware, fake ordering portals and altered invoice attachments
• Payroll and timesheet fraud: exaggerated hours, ghost employees and inflated agency labour claims
• Asset and equipment theft: tube, boards, fittings and high-value ancillary items such as fall recovery and tie testing equipment
• Invoice and payment fraud: mandate fraud, duplicate billing and fake invoices
• Tendering and bid-rigging: collusion between bidders and insider leaks of tender information
• Health and safety certification fraud: fake or altered CISRS cards and other competence certificates, cards, and forged training records
• Insurance and compensation fraud: falsified injury, damage and product defect claims
• Subcontractor and labour fraud: cash-in-hand arrangements and subcontractors disappearing after advance payments
• Materials substitution fraud: counterfeit couplers, substandard tube and boards, and falsified CE / UKCA marks

This guidance is a stark reminder that fraud is not just a commercial issue, there are safety implications too. Counterfeit components and forged competence cards put the integrity of the scaffold and the safety of everyone using it directly at risk

Five key messages from CG28:26:

1. Fraud can affect every part of the scaffolding supply chain and can lead to financial loss, safety risks, and reputational damage.
2. Verify before you trust: always check supplier details, payment requests, qualifications, and bank account changes independently.
3. Strong controls prevent fraud: use approved suppliers, purchase orders, segregation of duties, and regular audits.
4. Cyber awareness is essential: protect systems with strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, software updates, and staff training.
5. Report concerns early: encourage a culture of vigilance, investigate suspicious activity promptly, and report serious fraud to the appropriate authorities.

Mark Collinson, Head of Technical at NASC, said: "Fraud is an emerging risk that too many businesses assume will never affect them. Smaller contractors in particular can be just as much of a target as large organisations, often with fewer controls in place to stop it.

“CG28 gives members a straightforward set of checks they can put in place quickly and those simple habits, like verifying a bank detail change before you act on it, are what stop most fraud in its tracks."

The guidance also signposts relevant legislation and further reading in the reference section, including the Fraud Act 2006, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, ISO 37003:2025, and Government guidance on the failure to prevent fraud offence.

Fraud risk can never be removed entirely. But as CG28:26 makes clear, vigilance, strong processes and a culture in which staff feel able to raise concerns remain the best defence available.

CG28:26 Fraud Awareness and Prevention for Scaffolding Contractors and Suppliers is free to NASC members and available to purchase from the NASC website: https://nasc.org.uk/shop.html?searchQuery=cg28