Do I Have a Whistleblower Claim?
The signs of a real case — and the disqualifiers most people miss.
A viable whistleblower claim isn't just a story about something wrong at work. It's specific conduct, tied to government money or a regulated market, with enough detail that an investigator can do something with it. Here's how to tell.
Strong signs you may have a claim
- You have firsthand knowledge — you saw it, heard it, or worked on it
- The conduct involves government money (Medicare, Medicaid, defense, grants), securities markets, or tax
- You can describe a pattern, not a single bad day — who did what, when, and how often
- Documents, emails, or systems would corroborate the story if pulled
- The conduct is ongoing or recent (years, not decades)
Fraud categories that commonly qualify
- Healthcare billing fraud — upcoding, phantom services, medically unnecessary care, kickbacks
- Defense and procurement fraud — defective pricing, mis-charged labor, non-conforming product
- Securities and commodities violations — insider trading, accounting fraud, market manipulation
- Tax underpayment, especially large corporate cases
- Government grants — research, education, COVID relief
- Customs and trade — duty evasion, transshipment
Ready to find out where you stand?
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Common disqualifiers people miss
Three big ones knock out otherwise good cases. (1) The information is already public — published in a government report, court filing, or major news outlet. (2) Someone else filed first with the same facts (the first-to-file rule). (3) The conduct is too old — the FCA generally limits filings to six years after the violation, capped at ten in most cases.
How to pressure-test your case in 30 minutes
- 01
Write the one-paragraph version
Who did what, when, where, and how much. If you can't get there in a paragraph, the underlying facts probably aren't specific enough yet.
- 02
List your evidence
Documents, emails, records, screenshots, system access. Be honest about what you actually have lawful access to.
- 03
Estimate the dollars
Rough order of magnitude is fine. Cases under $1 million in recovery are tougher to move; cases in the millions to tens of millions are where most government attention sits.
- 04
Check the clock
When did the conduct happen? When did you learn about it? If most of the activity was more than 6–10 years ago, you may have a timing problem.
- 05
Run it through TruthArrow
Upload what you have. We organize, summarize, and tell you where the case is strong, where it's thin, and what's missing — before you ever talk to a lawyer.
You don't need a smoking gun
Detailed firsthand knowledge can carry a case even without a binder of documents. Investigators care about whether you can describe the scheme — how it worked, who ran it, and why it was illegal. Documents help. They aren't the only thing that matters.
Frequently asked questions
- What if I only suspect — I don't have proof?
- Suspicion alone is usually too thin. But detailed knowledge of how a scheme worked, even without documents, can be enough to start. The right next step is to organize what you actually know and have an attorney evaluate it.
- Can I file if I was involved in the fraud?
- Sometimes. The False Claims Act allows participants to file, but your share can be reduced or eliminated depending on your role. Be candid with counsel about your involvement.
- How long does TruthArrow's case assessment take?
- Most users get a structured first read within hours of uploading their documents — strengths, gaps, and a recommendation on whether it's worth talking to a lawyer.
Have information about fraud?
Take the quiz or submit your case securely — whichever feels right.