OIG HOTLINE
- Recognizing Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
- About the Hotline
- What to Report
- Whistleblower Protection
- File a Hotline Complaint Now
OIG Hotline Poster
Per the requirement, EPAAR 1503.500–71
,
you may download or print the OIG Hotline poster (11x17 PDF). Posters may also be obtained by contacting the OIG at (202) 566-2476.
Recognizing Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
Recognizing Fraud
Fraud is a false representation about a material fact. It is any intentional deception
designed to unlawfully deprive the United States or EPA of something of value or to secure
for an individual a benefit, privilege, allowance, or consideration to which he or she is
not entitled. Following are key fraud indicators; this list is not all-inclusive:
- Unexplained entries of altered records
- Unusually large amounts of payments in cash
- Inadequate or missing documentation
- Delays in producing requested documentation
- Non-serial number transactions
- Unauthorized transactions
- Unusual patterns and trends in contracting and procurement
- Unrealistic contract prices
- Increase in claims for reimbursement
- Offers of gifts, money, or other gratuities from contractors, grantees, or other individuals dealing with the government
- Photocopies of documents where it is difficult to detect alteration
- False or misleading information
- Missing approval signatures
- Lack of separation of duties
- Discrepancies in handwriting
- Lack of or out-of-date written policies and procedures, including those safeguarding assets
- Lack of communication and/or support for ethical standards by management
- Uncharacteristic behavior, including a person living beyond his/her means
- Unaccountable funds
- Uncharacteristic willingness to settle claims
- Fictitious vendors
- Unauthorized personnel with access
- Overly complex organizational structure
- High turnover rate
- Reassignment of personnel
- Termination of key personnel
- "Missing" files, reports, data, and invoices (both electronic and paper)
- Missing, weak, or inadequate internal controls
- Management override of key internal controls
- Inadequate monitoring by management
- A history of impropriety
Recognizing Waste
Waste involves the taxpayers not receiving a reasonable value for money in connection with any government-funded activities due to an inappropriate act or omission. Most waste does not involve a violation of law; rather, waste relates primarily to mismanagement, inappropriate actions, and inadequate oversight.
Recognizing Abuse
Abuse involves behavior that is deficient or improper when compared with behavior that a prudent person would
consider reasonable and necessary business practice given the facts and circumstances. Abuse also includes
misuse of authority or position for personal financial interests or those of an immediate or close family member
or business associate. Abuse does not necessarily involve fraud or violations of laws, regulations, or provisions
of a contract or grant agreement. Following are examples of abuse; this list is not all-inclusive:
- Creating unneeded overtime.
- Requesting staff to perform personal errands or work tasks for a supervisor or manager.
- Performing tasks related to a personal business during working hours and on government equipment.
- Misusing the official's position for personal gain (including not only the official's personal interests but the interests of family members or others).
- Making travel choices that are contrary to existing travel policies or are unnecessarily extravagant or expensive.
- Making procurement of vendor selections that are contrary to existing policies or are unnecessarily extravagant or expensive.
Brochures on Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
The EPA Office of Inspector General provides the following brochures that provide additional details regarding fraud, waste, abuse:
Deterring Fraud, Waste and Abuse of EPA Funds (PDF)
Disuadiendo el fraude, mal gasto y abuse de los fondos de la EPA (in Spanish) (PDF)
When Good Money Goes Bad - True Stories of Grant Fraud at EPA (PDF)
When Good Money Goes Bad - True Stories of Contract Fraud at EPA (PDF)
When Good Money Goes Bad - True Stories of Fraud in the EPA Superfund Program (PDF)
Prevention, Detection, and Reporting for Federal, State, Local, and Tribal Administrators (PDF)
Prevention, Detection, and Reporting Contractors, Awardees, and Recipients (PDF)
About the Hotline
The EPA OIG hotline receives complaints of fraud, waste, and abuse in EPA programs and operations including mismanagement or violations of law, rules, or regulations by EPA employees or program participants. Complaints may be received directly from EPA employees, participants in EPA programs, or the general public.
The EPA OIG hotline is staffed by federal law enforcement agents. Hotline complaints may be submitted by mail, telephone, fax, or e-mail. Hotline complaints are reviewed by auditors, evaluators, and/or criminal investigators as conditions warrant. The initial receipt of any complaint or allegation must be handled by an OIG special agent. No other OIG employees are authorized to receive complaints or allegations on behalf of the OIG.
Upon receipt of a specific allegation of fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement, the OIG may take any one of the following actions:
- open an OIG investigation or audit;
- refer the matter to EPA management for appropriate review and action; or
- refer the allegation to another Federal agency, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
All matters significant enough to require a response are monitored until the necessary resolution action is planned or taken. Allegations with limited specificity or merit may be held in abeyance until further specific details are reported. Complaints are analyzed to identify trends which should be considered in the audit and investigative planning processes.
Top of pageWhat to Report
Fraud, Waste, or Abuse in EPA Programs
The purpose of the EPA OIG Hotline is to receive complaints of fraud, waste, or abuse in EPA programs and operations including mismanagement
or violations of law, rules, or regulations by EPA employees or program participants. Examples of reportable violations include:
- Contract, procurement, and grant fraud
- Bribery and acceptance of gratuities
- Significant mismanagement and waste of funds
- Conflict of interest
- Travel fraud
- Abuse of authority
- Theft or abuse of Government property
- Computer crime
Please be as specific as possible. Provide relevant names, dates and times, locations and, where appropriate, include the name of the contractor or grantee, and contract or grant numbers, and award dates. Other helpful information includes:
- How you became aware of the problem
- Have efforts been made to correct the problem
- Names of others affected by the problem
- Statute or regulation violated
- What you want EPA to do
Minor incidents, such as, minor time and attendance abuse, or misuse of Government property should be reported to appropriate program managers. Personnel matters involving requests for individual relief should be handled through the appropriate grievance process with management, and offices of personnel, equal employment and civil rights. For other questions and concerns not involving fraud, waste, or abuse in EPA programs, please see these helpful Resource Links on our About webpage.
Top of pageWhistleblower Protection
Confidentiality, Anonymity, & Whistleblower Protection
The IG Act and other pertinent laws protect persons making Hotline complaints.
Complaints Made by EPA Employees
In accordance with section 7(b) of the Inspector General Act of 1978
, as amended, the OIG shall not, after receipt of a complaint or
information from an EPA employee, disclose the identity of the employee without the consent of the employee unless the Inspector General
determines such disclosure is unavoidable during the course of an investigation. Any identifying information is confidential source material,
and OIG employees must not disclose such information except to other OIG employees who have a need to know in connection with their official
duties.
Complaints Made by Other Persons
Complainants who are not EPA employees do not have an automatic right to confidentiality under section 7(b) of
the Inspector General Act of 1978 .
However,
non-EPA employees may specifically request confidentiality, and the OIG will protect the confidentiality of such
complainants to the maximum extent permitted by law (for example, by using applicable exemptions and exclusions
of the Freedom of Information Act and applicable exemptions of the Privacy Act).
Anonymity
If you do not wish to disclose your identity, you may remain anonymous when contacting the OIG. However, please keep in mind that anonymity may impede a quick or thorough investigation or the success of a later prosecution.
Whistleblower Protection Act
The Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) provides protection rights for Federal employees against
retaliation for whistleblowing activities. Under WPA, Federal employees may seek whistleblower protection from
the Office of Special Counsel (OSC)
and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)
.
OSC is an independent executive agency whose responsibilities include investigating whistleblowers' complaints and litigating cases before
the MSPB. MSPB has the authority to enforce their decision and to order corrective and disciplinary actions. Actions ordered can include
restoring one's job, reversing suspensions, taking disciplinary action against a supervisor, and reimbursing attorney fees, medical and
other costs, and damages.
Protection Under Environmental Statutes
Whistleblower protection provisions are written into six environmental statutes:
- Clean Water Act (CWA)
- Clean Air Act (CAA)
- Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
- Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
- Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA)
- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
Employers subject to the provisions of the above statutes may not discriminate against any employee who engages in whistleblowing activities
related to the above statutes. The Department of Labor has found that Federal employees may be covered by these protections. Complaints may be filed with the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
File a Hotline Complaint Now
EPA OIG Hotline for Reporting Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in EPA Programs
To determine whether your information is appropriate for the EPA OIG Hotline, please refer to the "What to Report to the EPA OIG Hotline" section above prior to initiating contact.
|
Postal Mail U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
Telephone and Fax Toll-Free: 1-888-546-8740 (Nationwide) |
E-mail
WARNING
The identity of an individual who chooses to make a complaint via the Internet E-Mail system cannot be protected by the EPA OIG. By choosing to use electronic mail, you are NOT anonymous and you give up any right to confidentiality. An individual who desires confidentiality MUST make the complaint(s) in person, by telephone, or U.S. Mail, and must request confidentiality.
You can choose to email the Hotline at: OIG_Hotline@epa.gov or the message form below
to report fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement to EPA's OIG
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