Forensic Accounting Insights & Resources
Explore the world of forensic accounting through clear, timely, and easy-to-understand articles. From uncovering financial fraud to explaining complex investigations, this site provides resources designed to inform and build trust in the field of forensic accounting.
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Forensic Accounting Articles
68 Felonies and One Trusted Accountant: What Went Wrong and How to Make Sure Your Real Vendors Get Paid
March 5, 2026
A former accountant is now facing 68 felony charges tied to financial misconduct. Think about that number for a second. Sixty-eight. That is not one mistake. That is not a simple bookkeeping error. That is a breakdown of oversight, internal controls, and trust. Most business owners read stories like this and think, “That would never
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The Case of the Fake Customer: Why Passwords Are Fueling Fraudulent Orders
March 3, 2026
Let’s talk about something most business owners don’t see coming. You get an order.It looks legitimate.The customer has an account.The login checks out.Payment processes. Then a chargeback hits. The real customer says, “That wasn’t me.” Now you’re out the product, the revenue, the shipping, the fees, and possibly your reputation. Here’s the hard truth. In
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When the CFO Is the Fraudster: What Every Business Owner Needs to Learn from the Zadeh Kicks Case
February 26, 2026
Here is the uncomfortable truth.Fraud does not always come from a random hacker in another country. Sometimes it comes from inside the building. Sometimes it comes from the CFO. In the recent Zadeh Kicks case, a CFO received prison time for bank fraud conspiracy tied to an online sneaker resale business. The company took millions
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Indicted at the Top: What Every Business Owner Can Learn from the First Brands Case
February 24, 2026
When you see headlines about a company founder being indicted by federal prosecutors, it is easy to think, “That has nothing to do with me.” Big company. Big money. Big problems. But here is the uncomfortable truth. Fraud at the top rarely starts big. It starts with pressure. It grows with rationalization. And it survives
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When Your Bookkeeper Becomes the Risk: What a Recent Federal Embezzlement Case Teaches Business Owners
February 19, 2026
A North Carolina bookkeeper was recently sentenced to 57 months in federal prison after stealing nearly one million dollars from three small businesses. She handled payroll, bill pay, and taxes. She also created fake vendors and unauthorized wire transfers to hide the theft. By the time it was uncovered, the damage was done. Prison time
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Check Fraud Is Back in the Spotlight and It’s Hitting Businesses Hard
February 17, 2026
Check fraud is no longer a “rare event.” Criminals are targeting mailed checks by stealing them from mailboxes, altering them or creating counterfeit versions, and turning them into real cash before anyone notices. This isn’t small-time theft anymore. Recent reporting shows this trend is accelerating and costing victims billions of dollars a year. The Case
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The Money Was “Paid” but It Never Hit the Bank
February 12, 2026
Why Every Business Must Verify Deposits, Not Just Trust Receipts A recent case out of Michigan is a hard reminder of a simple truth most businesses overlook. A sales manager pleaded guilty to wire fraud after stealing nearly $900,000 from his employer. Customers paid their bills. Receipts were issued. Everything looked normal. The problem?The money
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Fake Banks Are Everywhere: What the Latest CTM360 Analysis Means for Your Business
February 10, 2026
If you think phishing is just dodgy emails from “IT Support” or Nigerian princes, think again. A new analysis linked in The Hacker News shows fraudsters have upped their game by building entire fake banks…complete with websites that look legit and services that feel real. These aren’t scammy brochures or obvious knockoffs. These are polished,
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They Claimed to Be Security. The Money Was Gone Minutes Later.
February 5, 2026
What Verification Code Scams Teach Businesses About Trust Let’s be clear. This scam does not start with a request for your password or your Social Security number. It starts with something that feels harmless. A six-digit verification code sent to your phone. Recently, Omaha residents came forward after losing thousands of dollars to callers who
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Counterfeit Cash Is Back and Businesses Are Paying the Price
February 3, 2026
Most business owners assume counterfeit cash is a problem of the past. Credit cards, apps, tap-to-pay… who’s still using fake bills? Fraudsters are. And they’re getting bold about it. Recent arrests in California show just how easy it is for criminals to walk into a restaurant, hand over fake $100 bills, and walk out with
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“I follow the money, interpret the evidence, and explain it in plain language. That’s how fraud gets found and trust gets rebuilt.”
who is brandy derrick?
Practical articles and financial investigations explained by Brandy Derrick.
Brandy Derrick has over six years of experience in financial investigations, with a proven track record of supporting more than 30 investigations through detailed financial analysis. She has authored 50+ articles and case notes, making complex accounting concepts easy to understand for professionals and the public alike.
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