Credit Cards Online Information

The Pentagon is tightening up over-sight of issued purchase and travel cards. Defense Department Comptroller Dov Zakheim briefed reporters last month on the findings of a three-- month study on the department's charge-card program.

Zakheim said the overall instance of misuse or fraud within the department is probably lower than that experienced by private-sector companies. But there have been egregious examples of card misuse and outright fraud within the department, he acknowledged.

The department must take steps to educate users about the cards, enforce laws and regulations against misuse and look at other ways of conducting business, he said.

Zakheim stressed that the charge-card program saves money, manpower and time and is enormously beneficial, he said.

Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz issued a June 21 memore-emphasizing the importance of the programand detailing two things.

First, agency heads must report to Zakheim by July 15 with what they have done to deal with current cases of abuse, misuse and delinquencies. Second, Wolfowitz directed the DOD inspector general to coordinate audits and investigations of the charge-card programs.

The department will also immediately cancel 100,000 expired travel cards and review another 300,000 for possible cancellation that have been inactive for a year.

Other aspects remain to be worked out. One is enforcement.

The Justice Department's Public Integrity Section will prosecute. DOD will also look at pursuing cases in state and local courts.

Finally, commanders and supervisors must take action in charge card cases. If they do not, they may be held liable.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:06 AM