The National Fraud Authority (NFA) is asking charities to take part in an online survey measuring the extent of fraud against the sector.

A link to the online survey has been sent to 33,000 charities. The results will be published in the Annual Fraud Indicator report early next year along with the results of similar surveys measuring fraud in the private sector and targeted studies of payroll and procurement fraud.

Catherine Hayes, head of measurement and analysis unit at the NFA said: “Just one instance of fraud can have a devastating effect on a charity. The survey that is being conducted cuts across charities of all sizes and will allow us to develop a better picture of how fraud harms the sector.”

This is the third time that the NFA has conducted the survey, which last year found that fraud could be costing charities 2.4 per cent of their annual income, amounting to £1.3bn across the sector.

The Charity Commission has assisted with the survey and Iain Hewitt, head of compliance investigation at the Commission, said: “We are glad the NFA is conducting this survey which will provide a better understanding of the problem facing the sector.”