What is kiting How can an auditor detect kiting?

Of course, if each of these cash transfers is recorded in the books, a company will show the negative balances that result from checks drawn on insufficient funds. However,
perpetrators may try to hide the kiting by not recording the deposits and checks. Such maneuvers may be detected by using a schedule of interbank transfers. (compare it to account activity)

Today, banks have implemented the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act, referred to as "Check 21." In this system, checks are converted to digital images, allowing for a
dramatic increase in speed in check clearing. The benefit is that the "float" on the check is virtually eliminated, and kiting becomes difficult to perform and conceal. However, in
the Check 21 system, the paper check is usually destroyed, a hard copy of the check is never returned to the customer or its bank, and consequently, the nature of the audit trail
is significantly different. In investigating possible fraud, the audit team is able to obtain only an electronic copy of the check and the controls over the safeguarding of the imaging
files will be of great importance

a. Identification of procedures:
A. Balance per bank: procedures 4 and 9
B. Deposits in transit: procedures 1, 7, 8, 9, and 10
C. Outstanding checks: procedures 2, 7, 8, 9, and 10
D. Customer note collected by the bank: procedure 5
E. Error: Check 1282, written on Sept 26: procedures 5 and 9
F. Balance per books: procedure 3
b. The total of outstanding checks is $13,480, not $11,450. Someone has manipulated the bank
reconciliation to match the general ledger balance, which is overstated by $2,000 (provided the
general ledger balance is $20,400.)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation defines check-kiting as “a scheme which artificially inflates bank account balances, in accounts that are under common control, for purposes of obtaining unauthorized use of bank funds, through the systematic exchanging or swapping of checks between these accounts, in a manner which is designed to misuse the float that exists in the banking system.”

Not everyone that writes a check and then rushes to the bank to cover it is kiting. Kiting is a crime when the kiting steps over the line from practice to crime when the initiators of the activity intend to obtain something of value by trick, deceit, deception, or swindle.

According to law enforcement experts, check kiters generally have a professional appearance and manner. The professional check kiter usually has a good working relationship with his or her financial institution, regardless of whether the kiter has a legitimate or bogus business. This good relationship eventually works to the disadvantage of the bank because personnel is much less likely to be suspicious of “good” customers.

The American Bankers Association describes check-kiting as “the process of floating worthless checks between accounts established in two or more banks.” ABA goes on to state “a kiter is able to create the impression of having a real balance in each of the banks by carefully timing deposits and checks, and taking advantage of the time needed for checks to clear.”

What to look for:

  • A high number of deposits-usually several per day.
  • A high percentage of deposited funds coming from accounts under common control of the suspected kiter.
  • Checks in float many times greater than closing bank balances.
  • More “real” money is being taken out than put in.
  • Deposit and withdrawal activity conceals negative actual balances.
  • Total dollar debits and credits are almost equal.
  • Many deposit items are drawn on the same bank(s) or many checks payable to the same payee.
  • Overdrafts covered with checks and not with cash.
  • Checks written in “round” dollar amounts.
  • Frequent inquiries regarding account balances.
  • Frequent use of different bank branches.
  • Frequent use of ATMs to make deposits.

Kiting involves checks from other institutions that appear to be drawn on an account established by the same account holder.  Certainly, not all checks of this nature are kiting schemes.  But alert tellers always watch for potential kiting.

When kiting takes place, the financial institution stands at risk.  If a kite goes undetected, the account holder may have numerous financial institutions involved.  When the kite stops “working,” usually the last institution involved experiences a loss.

Here are steps to identify check-kiting and minimize risk in the interim

  1. Alert management.
  2. Place special instructions on the account to alert other tellers.
  3. Contact the other institution(s) involved to confirm the funds are available.
  4. Never accuse or confront the account holder.

Financial institutions lose millions of dollars annually as a result of kiting schemes.  The strongest combination for deterring or stopping kiting is observant, alert tellers and the aid of the computer list of all items presented for payment that are drawn against uncollected funds.

The institution would be well-advised to have a kite-watch procedure where all “not on us” items of an established amount (i. e., $1,000 or more) are placed in a review bin so a designated deposit review person gives these items a second look.  Centralizing the effort allows a few “specialists” to become very familiar with depositors moving money from one institution to another, amounts, frequency, etc.  Also, this approach allows tellers to work efficiently and reduces the need to slow transactions down delaying the account holder at the window, as well as others in line.

Just as the first bank to identify a kiting scheme is usually the one to minimize their losses, alert tellers and close scrutiny of possible kiting transactions can effectively insulate your bank from crippling losses.

Still learning,

Honey

Looking for training on check-kiting and fraud? On Guard: Check Kiting & Other Scams is the program you need to remind existing frontline staff or bring new-hires up to speed on best practices and techniques that help reduce the threat of check kiting, identity theft, advance payment, counterfeiting, and new account fraud.

How do you detect audit kiting?

Signs of Check Kiting Matching dollar amounts for debits and credits. Checks drawn from a bank account owned by the account holder at another financial institution. Covering overdrafts with personal checks rather than payroll checks or direct deposits. A large volume of account balance inquiries.

What is kiting audit?

Kiting involves the illegal use of financial instruments to fraudulently obtain additional credit. Securities firms "kite" if they fail to follow SEC rules around obtaining securities in a timely way. Check kiting targets banks or retailers through a series of bad checks, sometimes drawn on multiple accounts.

What is kiting how can one spot a kiting scheme?

check kiting, fraud committed against a banking institution in which access is gained to deposited funds in one account before they can be collected from another account upon which they are drawn. The scheme usually involves several checking accounts at several different banks.

What is kiting at a bank?

Kiting or check-kiting is the practice of covering a bad check from one bank account to another. Persons with multiple bank accounts use this advantage because it takes multiple days to process checks. The check that has been deposited increases the fund available. The act of kiting is illegal.