How to Report Fraud (The Right Way)
The steps that keep your case — and your reward — intact.
How you report fraud matters as much as what you report. The wrong move can cost you the case and the reward. The right process protects both.
The four steps
- 01
Gather evidence
Collect documents, emails, billing records, or communications you already have access to. Don't break policy or law to get more — what you already have is usually enough to start.
- 02
Don't report internally first
Telling your employer before filing can trigger retaliation and weaken your position. In some cases, it can even disqualify you from the reward.
- 03
File properly with a qualified attorney
Whistleblower cases must be filed under seal by counsel. Filing on your own or with the wrong attorney is the most common way a case fails.
- 04
Let the government investigate
Once filed, the case is reviewed by the DOJ or relevant agency. You stay protected under seal while they investigate.
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Mistakes to avoid
- Telling coworkers or your employer before you file
- Posting about it on social media or speaking to the press
- Taking documents you weren't authorized to access
- Waiting too long — a later filer with the same facts can take your reward
- Hiring a generalist attorney who doesn't handle qui tam cases
Frequently asked questions
- Can I report fraud myself?
- You can report to a government tip line on your own, but you cannot file a qui tam case without an attorney. Self-reported tips don't qualify for the 15%–30% reward.
- Should I tell my employer first?
- Almost never. Internal reporting before filing exposes you to retaliation and can reduce or eliminate your reward share. File first, then the employer finds out through legal channels.
Have information about fraud?
Take the quiz or submit your case securely — whichever feels right.