Much of the success of the OIG mission to combat fraud, waste, and abuse depends on the cooperation of all FCC employees.

Why Report Wrongdoing?

Statistics demonstrate that the majority of allegations of wrongdoing reported to the OIG come from employees. There are two clear bases for those statistics. First, employees are in the best position to observe wrongdoing and have the technical expertise to assess wrongful actions. Second, under federal law and executive order, all government employees are required to report violations of law and regulations.

How to Report Wrongdoing

Any indications of fraud, waste, abuse of authority, mismanagement, or other wrongdoing should be reported to the OIG, your supervisor, or other appropriate authorities. You may contact the OIG directly, by telephone at (202) 418-0470 or (202) 418-0473. Agency managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that allegations of wrongdoing they receive are promptly reported to the OIG, or appropriate authority.

What to Report

The information you provide to the OIG should be sufficient for an investigator to evaluate or act on. You should try to provide the following information if possible:

• A brief, accurate statement of the facts believed to provide evidence of wrongdoing;

• names, addresses, and office locations of pertinent individuals and organizations;

• dates when the suspected wrongdoing took place or is expected to occur;

• how you became aware of the information;

• any pertinent documents within your possession; and

• names, addresses, office locations, and telephone numbers of others (including licensees) who may have information about the suspected wrongdoing.

Employees should not engage in any independent inquiry or investigation and should not discuss the matter with the persons suspected of wrongdoing. Employees should provide the OIG with any new or additional information pertinent to the allegation.

How You are Protected

You may make an allegation anonymously. If you choose to identify yourself, under the Act your name will not be revealed without your consent unless the IG determines that the disclosure is unavoidable during the course of an investigation. Reprisal and retaliation for reporting wrongdoing is prohibited by Federal law and regulations, and no action may be taken against you for having complained or disclosed information to the OIG, unless the complaint was made or the information disclosed with the knowledge that it was false or with willful disregard for its truth or falsity.