Whistleblower reward FAQ

In the Oval Office, alongside Vice President JD Vance, President Trump announced a Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program. He said anyone who reports fraud against the U.S. government would get a 1% commission. His example: "you find $1 billion, we are giving a commission to that person of 1%". He said this applies even at $10B, $200B or $400B. He also said he would personally be "the arbitrator" of who gets paid. Sources: CBS News, Reuters, Forbes (checked 21 Oct 2026).

No law or published rule we found sets a 1% commission as of 21 Oct 2026. The only written rules are the DOJ's program terms, which describe $10,000–$30,000 awards. Treat the 1% as announced but not yet in writing.

The DOJ's National Fraud Enforcement Division published the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program (WHIP), also called the Criminal Tip Rewards Pilot Program. It pays $10,000 to $30,000 for each distinct, original, written tip that leads to unsealed criminal charges in covered areas. Payment is made at or around the time charges are filed, at the DOJ's sole discretion. The decision can't be appealed. The pilot has an initial three-year term.

Federal health care offenses (with priority on hospice, home health care, day care and special-services fraud such as autism-care fraud). Also fraud on programs or benefits run by the Departments of Agriculture (e.g. SNAP), Labor (e.g. unemployment), Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Education (e.g. student aid), Veterans Affairs and War, and the Small Business Administration. The DOJ says it could add more categories later.

Under the published terms, these people are not eligible: companies and other entities; DOJ or law-enforcement officials, employees and contractors, and their close relatives or household members; foreign government officials; people who meaningfully took part in the crime (with a narrow exception for 'minimal participants'); anyone who lies to or obstructs the DOJ; and in most cases people who got the information through compliance, audit or legal roles.

For the DOJ program, only if an attorney files on your behalf. If you file yourself, you must give contact details, and you must reveal and verify your identity before any payment. GAO FraudNet and the NACC accept anonymous reports, but then they can't contact you. Under the NACC, anonymous reporters also can't get reprisal protections.

For the DOJ program, use the intake form at america.gov/fraud, which the DOJ recommends. For other matters, see our How to report page: IG hotlines (oversight.gov), GAO FraudNet, the SEC, IRS and CFTC whistleblower programs, a False Claims Act lawyer, or in Australia the ATO, ASIC, the PID Act scheme or the NACC.

The DOJ program is designed to pay early, at or around the time criminal charges are filed, rather than after the case ends. But investigations take time, and an award is never guaranteed. Percentage-based programs like the SEC, IRS, CFTC and False Claims Act usually pay only after money is actually collected, which can take years.

Reuters and CBS report that the first recipient was YouTuber Nick Shirley, whose videos alleged childcare fraud in Minnesota. He was presented with a $10,000 check. Minnesota officials disputed some of his claims as misleading, although one profiled childcare operator later pleaded guilty to fraud.

No. It simply multiplies your number by 1%, the figure the President announced. That figure is not in the DOJ's rules. We show the official program ranges next to it so you can compare. None of these numbers are promises of payment.

U.S. programs like the SEC, CFTC and False Claims Act have paid non-U.S. people in some cases, if they meet all the rules. Get advice from a U.S. whistleblower lawyer. The DOJ program's eligibility rules exclude foreign government officials but don't otherwise mention nationality. Australia's own schemes (ATO, Corporations Act, PID Act, NACC) give legal protections, not cash rewards.

Reporting honestly through official channels is generally protected, and many laws ban retaliation. But you can face serious consequences if you make false statements, obtain evidence illegally, breach confidentiality outside protected channels, or took part in the fraud yourself. That's why talking to a lawyer first matters.

Yes, if your job, money or safety could be affected, if you want anonymity, or if the matter could be a False Claims Act, SEC, IRS or CFTC case. In the U.S., some whistleblower lawyers work on contingency (paid from any award). Ask about fees in writing. In Australia, the ATO notes that disclosures to your lawyer for advice about tax whistleblower law are protected.

No. Reward Watch is an independent explainer site. We don't take reports, can't process claims and have no role in any program. Always use the official links.