What measures can be taken to mitigate the risk of fraud in the GPC program?

Implementing strong internal controls and conducting regular audits are essential measures to mitigate the risk of fraud in the Governmentwide Commercial Purchase Card (GPC) program. Strong internal controls ensure that there are clear policies and procedures in place to govern the use of purchase cards, including spending limits, approved vendors, and necessary approvals for transactions. These controls help prevent unauthorized purchases and ensure that the cards are used only for their intended purpose.

Regular audits serve to review and verify the transactions made using the GPC, helping to identify any discrepancies or unauthorized activities. By consistently monitoring card usage through audits, potential issues can be identified early, allowing for timely corrective actions. This combination of robust internal controls and routine audits creates a more transparent environment that discourages fraudulent activities, thereby enhancing accountability within the program.

The other choices do not effectively target the prevention of fraud. While reducing training on compliance procedures would likely increase risks rather than decrease them, issuing more cards to employees without adequate oversight could heighten vulnerabilities. Limiting purchases across all vendors could restrict legitimate business activities without addressing the underlying risks of fraud.