Urssaf claims a “historic record” in its hunt for undeclared work, with more than a billion euros recovered last year. But recovering these funds proves to be a real obstacle course in the world of finance.
Social fraud: A jackpot to track down despite the rankings
There tracking down fraudsters can prove extremely lucrative, and the Department of Public Accounts was quick to point this out. Indeed, for the year 2023, the Urssaf services announced adjustments to social security contributions amounting to 1.2 billion euros, an increase of 50% compared to the previous year when 788 million euros were recorded. “ The results of the fight against hidden work in 2023 are historic », Proudly declared Thomas Cazenave, Minister of Public Accounts, during a press briefing on March 13.
This spectacular progress enroll yourself in a broader government strategy aimed at stemming social and tax fraud. The declared objective for the coming years is to harvest “ 5 billion euros » over 5 years, which represents a considerable ambition. According to figures from Bercy, the amount of adjustments has quadrupled in ten yearsthus highlighting the increasing effectiveness of anti-fraud measures.
This success is not the result of chance. The government has established a series of measures aimed at strengthening the workforce of Urssaf controllers and modernize fraud detection tools, particularly through the use of digital technologies adapted to finance. This offensive is part of a proactive approach to guarantee greater equity between companies and ensure the sustainability of the social protection system.
Yet, despite this undeniable progress, there is still much to do. The amount recovered, although considerable, represents only a fraction of the total estimate of social security contribution fraud, which fluctuates between 7.3 and 9.2 billion euros per year according to estimates from the High Council for Social Protection Financing. The fight against social fraud therefore remains a major challenge for the authorities, both financially and in terms of social justice.
Urssaf attacks with the necessary resources
Despite the government’s triumphant announcements, the reality of social fraud reveals less dazzling figures. According to Damien Ientile, director general of Urssaf, the majority of the adjusted amounts result from intentional fraud, often perpetrated by companies with dubious or even phantom business modelsevaporable as desired.
However, Urssaf is deploying significant resources to counter this scourge. Of the massive recruitment of control agents are operated, with 116 additional agents in 2023, and 245 others planned by 2027. Thomas Cazenave, Minister of Public Accounts, welcomes these reinforcements, also highlighting the intensification of preventive actions, in particular the regularization window for microentrepreneurs.
However, despite these efforts, fraud persists mainly among employers, responsible for 90% of adjustments. The sectors of Constructionof the business services and trade remain the most affected, reflecting the challenges still present in the fight against social fraud.
AI against tax fraud: a complex perspective
At the heart of the fight against tax fraud, artificial intelligence emerges as a powerful but complex tool. Using data models based on tax records, it targets potential cases of fraud by examining spending, assets and financial behavior. However, the precision of these algorithms requires a delicate balance between sensitivity and accuracy, points out James Bowers of Polytechnics Insights.
The promising results, with an AUPRC of up to 0.851, highlight the potential effectiveness of this approach. But AI alone is not enough. The fight against fraud requires a human dimension, where tax auditors play a crucial role, guaranteeing respect for taxpayer rights and compliance with tax jurisprudence.
Thus, although algorithms provide valuable information regarding finance, their use must be part of a framework where humans have the last word. The effective integration of these technologies into the administration’s information system requires careful planning and continuous adaptation to meet the evolving needs of the fight against fraud.
For its part, AI has already made inroads in the world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
Maximize your Tremplin.io experience with our ‘Read to Earn’ program! For every article you read, earn points and access exclusive rewards. Sign up now and start earning benefits.
