Originally Posted by cordelli
It's probably technicailly not fraud, because the amount is the actual rate (actually it saves them money, because I always choose the least expensive rate), but it's entirely done to aviod questions.
Legally, fraud requires an intent to steal. Lying, in and of itself, is not (necessarily) fraud.
That said, I would never do any of this. Not because I'm so squeaky clean, but the idea of having to lie just to get my job done makes me angry. I would try to explain things like mattress runs to my boss in advance. If that failed, I'd probably look for another job, as I wouldn't want to work for someone that I viewed as an adversary or too unwilling to appreciate creative solutions.
Lying for convenience is, IMHO, one aspect of human nature I find most detestable.