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REPORT FRAUD, WASTE & ABUSE TO THE FDIC OIG HOTLINE

How Does the Hotline Work?

When a call is placed to the toll-free number, the caller is asked to leave a recorded message explaining the concern. Individuals may report information openly, anonymously, or confidentially. When a complaint is received by letter or electronic mail, the author should include as much information as possible, answering Who, What, When, Where, and How about the alleged incident. While not required, a telephone number and/or address is useful to allow us to follow up with additional questions.

The OIG will create a record of the contact, and OIG staff carefully review each allegation to determine if it warrants review or investigation. If criminal activity, or other serious wrong doing is alleged, an OIG investigator will be assigned to pursue the allegation. Other matters may be referred to FDIC management officials to review. In cases where the issues are not within the purview of the FDIC OIG or the FDIC, the OIG will make every effort to redirect the matter to the appropriate entity.

Confidentiality Policy

An individual who contacts the Hotline can report information openly, anonymously, or confidentially. Individuals who contact us by electronic mail are not anonymous to OIG Hotline staff.

Confidentiality is granted to any FDIC employee reporting a problem to the Hotline via telephone or in writing through the regular mail, subject to the provisions of Section 7(b) of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended. This provision requires that an employee's identity not be disclosed without his/her consent or unless the Inspector General determines that disclosure is unavoidable in the course of the investigation. Non-FDIC employees who contact the Hotline may request confidentiality and be assured that their identities will not be disclosed, except as required by law. Please note that individuals who contact the Hotline by electronic mail, cannot be assured of confidentiality due to the non-secure nature of electronic mail systems.

Established Hotline controls and procedures ensure that the identities of Hotline sources are protected to the extent possible. Moreover, the Inspector General Act and other federal laws prohibit reprisal actions against FDIC employees who make a complaint or disclose information to the Inspector General.

What Should be Reported?

Any situation that involves suspected fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement of FDIC programs, operations, and resources should be reported to the OIG Hotline. Some examples of wrongdoing that should be reported include:

• contract and procurement fraud or collusion;
• misuse, embezzlement, or theft of government property or funds;
• bribery and acceptance of gratuities;
• employee misconduct, such as misuse of official position and acceptance of unauthorized gifts;
• conflicts of interest;
• gross waste or mismanagement of government resources; and
• other unethical or illegal activities.

Please Understand that the OIG Cannot ...

• enforce banking rules or regulations,
• act as a legal advisor, or
• resolve or mediate disputes between individuals and the FDIC or its member banks.

For your information and use: Please click here for a downloadable pdf version of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General Hotline poster. To obtain additional hard copies of this poster, contact ighotline@fdic.gov. In your email, please explain your need for the poster, the quantity, mailing address, and a phone number for us to contact, if necessary. Poster Sizes: [8.5 X 11], [11 X 14]