STOP Fraud Act of 2024 Strengthening Tools to Obstruct and Prevent Fraud Act of 2024
By mandating the introduction of proactive analytics, the bill seeks to improve the identification and management of fraud risks in programs with substantial financial outlays. These enhanced anti-fraud measures will require agencies to not only designate programs at risk of improper payments but also develop specific plans for mitigating these risks, using advanced data analytics and identity verification methods. The proposal includes the establishment of a Program Integrity Fund, which would provide financial resources to agencies for implementing these necessary antifraud strategies.
House Bill 9537, known as the 'STOP Fraud Act of 2024', aims to enhance governmental tools and mechanisms to prevent fraud related to improper payments in federal programs. The bill establishes the Federal Real Anti-fraud Unified Directorate, or FRAUD, within the Office of Management and Budget. This new office will be responsible for the implementation of comprehensive anti-fraud controls across various high-priority federal programs, including those vulnerable to significant improper payments, thereby strengthening the federal government's ability to mitigate and respond to fraud risks.
Despite the bill's objectives to cut down on fraud, there are concerns about the potential administrative burden placed on agencies and individuals who must comply with the new regulations. Critics worry that the increased requirements for anti-fraud initiatives could lead to confusion, excessive costs, and inefficiencies in program administration. Furthermore, the appropriations relating to funding—estimated at $1 billion for the fiscal year 2025—have been a point of contention, raising questions about whether such funding will be sufficient and effectively administered to yield meaningful outcomes in fraud reduction.