Home › How to report
How to report fraud safely
Real, official channels in the U.S. and Australia: who pays rewards, who only protects you, and the steps that keep you safe. Every link goes to an official source.
Before you report: 8 safety rules
- Speak to a whistleblower lawyer first. Many reward programs have strict filing rules and deadlines, and the order you report in matters. For the DOJ program, filing anonymously requires an attorney.
- Don't break the law to get evidence. The DOJ says that submitting illegally obtained information gives you no protection from prosecution. Don't hack, record unlawfully, or take documents you aren't allowed to access.
- Use your own device and network, not a work laptop, work email or work Wi-Fi.
- Write down what you know: dates, names, amounts and where records are kept. Keep your notes private and secure.
- Tell the truth, and only what you know. False or frivolous reports can get you permanently barred and even prosecuted (DOJ program terms).
- Use only official websites. Type addresses yourself (e.g. america.gov/fraud). No official program charges a fee to submit a tip.
- Know your protections, and record any retaliation. U.S. and Australian laws protect many whistleblowers from being fired or harassed. Note any retaliation and report it.
- Look after yourself. Whistleblowing can be stressful and slow. In Australia, the NACC points people to Lifeline, Beyond Blue and other services.
🇺🇸 United States
DOJ Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program (WHIP) Reward
New as of 20 Oct 2026. It pays $10,000–$30,000 per distinct, original, written tip that leads to criminal charges. Covered areas are federal health care offenses (with priority on hospice, home health, day care and special-services fraud) and fraud on programs run by USDA, Labor, HHS, HUD, Education, VA, War and the SBA. Awards are at the DOJ's sole discretion. To stay anonymous, you must file through an attorney. People who took part in the fraud are generally not eligible.
Report at: america.gov/fraud.
DOJ program terms · DOJ press release · checked 21 Oct 2026
False Claims Act: qui tam lawsuits Reward
A private person (a "relator") can sue, under seal, on behalf of the United States someone who defrauded the government. Under 31 U.S.C. § 3730(d), the relator generally receives 15–25% of the proceeds if the government joins the case, and 25–30% if it doesn't. Shares can be capped at 10% when a case rests mainly on public information. These are lawsuits, so you will need a lawyer.
DOJ: The False Claims Act · 31 U.S.C. § 3730 · checked 21 Oct 2026
SEC Whistleblower Program Reward
This covers securities-law violations. Awards are 10–30% of the money collected when high-quality original information leads to an enforcement action with over $1 million in sanctions. It includes anti-retaliation protections under the Dodd-Frank Act.
SEC Whistleblower Program · checked 21 Oct 2026
IRS Whistleblower Office Reward
This covers tax noncompliance. Awards are generally 15–30% of the proceeds collected that come from your information (Form 211).
IRS Whistleblower Office · checked 21 Oct 2026
CFTC Whistleblower Program Reward
This covers violations of the Commodity Exchange Act, such as commodities, futures, swaps and some crypto fraud. Awards are 10–30% of sanctions collected in actions over $1 million. You file a Form TCR.
Whistleblower.gov (CFTC) · How much could I receive? · checked 21 Oct 2026
Inspector General hotlines Protection
Each federal agency has an Office of Inspector General (OIG) that takes reports of fraud, waste and abuse involving that agency. Oversight.gov lists every IG hotline and explains whistleblower protections. OIG hotlines are reporting channels, not reward programs.
Oversight.gov: whistleblowers & IG hotlines · checked 21 Oct 2026
GAO FraudNet Protection
The U.S. Government Accountability Office's hotline for fraud, waste, abuse or mismanagement of federal funds. You can file online as standard, confidential or anonymous. Phone 1-800-424-5454, or email fraud@gao.gov. FraudNet refers your report to the right agency. It does not pay rewards.
GAO FraudNet · checked 21 Oct 2026
🇦🇺 Australia
Australia has strong protections, but no general cash-reward scheme like the U.S. programs. Reporting through these channels protects you. It doesn't pay you.
ATO: Tax whistleblower protections Protection
Under Part IVD of the Taxation Administration Act 1953, eligible people protected include current or former employees, officers, contractors, spouses and dependants. They are protected when they report tax misconduct to the ATO or an eligible recipient. Protections include keeping your identity confidential and immunity from civil, criminal and administrative liability for the disclosure. Since 1 July 2024, they also cover disclosures to the Tax Practitioners Board. If you don't qualify, you can still make an (anonymous) tip-off. There is no cash reward scheme.
ATO: Tax whistleblowers · checked 21 Oct 2026
Corporations Act protections (ASIC) Protection
The Corporations Act 2001 gives eligible corporate-sector whistleblowers legal rights and protections, expanded from 1 July 2019. Public companies, large proprietary companies and super trustees must also have a whistleblower policy. You can report to ASIC or to eligible recipients within the company. There are no cash rewards.
ASIC: Whistleblowing · checked 21 Oct 2026
Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 (Commonwealth Ombudsman) Protection
This is for current or former Commonwealth public officials, including contractors' staff. It covers wrongdoing such as corruption, maladministration and wastage of public money, and protects disclosers and witnesses from reprisal. You report to an authorised officer in the agency, or you can talk to the Ombudsman first: PID@ombudsman.gov.au or 1300 362 072.
Commonwealth Ombudsman: PID · checked 21 Oct 2026
National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Protection
Anyone can report suspected corrupt conduct in the Commonwealth public sector. The online form is preferred. You can report anonymously, but then the NACC can't contact you or give you reprisal protections. The callback line is 1300 489 844.
NACC: how to make a report · NACC report form · checked 21 Oct 2026
Which channel fits?
| If the fraud is… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Against a U.S. benefit program (Medicare/Medicaid, SNAP, unemployment, student aid, SBA) | DOJ WHIP via america.gov/fraud, or the agency's IG hotline. Ask a lawyer about the False Claims Act. |
| A company overbilling the U.S. government | A False Claims Act lawyer (qui tam) |
| Securities or investment fraud | SEC Whistleblower Program |
| Commodities, futures or swaps fraud | CFTC Whistleblower Program |
| Federal tax evasion | IRS Whistleblower Office |
| Misuse of U.S. federal funds generally | GAO FraudNet or the relevant OIG |
| Australian tax avoidance | ATO (tax whistleblower protections) |
| Misconduct at an Australian company | ASIC / the company's whistleblower policy |
| Wrongdoing or waste in the Australian Government | PID Act (agency authorised officer / Ombudsman) or NACC |
All details checked 21 Oct 2026. Rules change; always confirm on the official page before you act.