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FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions about whistleblower laws, protections, and more.
HMRC Whistleblower Reward Program
What is the HMRC Whistleblower Reward Program? The HMRC Whistleblower Reward Program is the UK’s scheme for rewarding people who report serious tax evasion and avoidance. Officially called the Strengthened Reward Scheme — and also known as the HMRC Tax Whistleblower Reward Scheme — it was launched on November 26, 2025, and supplements the existing…Learn MoreFalse Claims Act (Qui Tam) Whistleblower FAQ
The False Claims Act's qui tam provision is one of the strongest whistleblower protection laws in the United States. However, it has many complicated components and requirements, which can harm any person that pursues such a claim without counsel. If, after reviewing this section, you believe that you may have an action arising under the…Learn MoreDodd-Frank Act (SEC & CFTC) Whistleblower FAQ
The Dodd Frank Act known formally as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, was signed into law July 21, 2010 and is a major piece of reform legislation covering commodities and securities actions worldwide. The Act is meant primarily to promote financial stability by improving accountability and transparency in the financial system. What…Learn MoreIRS Whistleblower FAQ
The Internal Revenue Act permits individuals who provide original information to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about violation of the tax laws or the underpayment of taxes to obtain a monetary regard, if their information results in a sanction against the tax law violator. Who is an "IRS whistleblower" or "tax whistleblower"? The Internal Revenue…Learn MoreForeign Corrupt Practices Act Whistleblower FAQ
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) targets bribery of foreign government officials by publicly traded corporations or U.S. persons. It is the most powerful and effective transnational anticorruption law in the world.Learn MoreWhistleblower Protection Act FAQ
The Whistleblower Protection Act protects most federal employees who report waste, fraud, and abuse from retaliation. What is the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA)? The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 and has been amended three times since – in 1989, 1994, and 2012. The most recent update was the important advances, including expanding the definition…Learn MoreAct To Prevent Pollution From Ships Whistleblower FAQ
One of the most important and effective tools to uncover and prevent marine pollution is the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS).Learn MoreWhistleblower Rewards FAQ
Under multiple U.S. whistleblower laws, a U.S. citizen or foreign national who discloses original information on waste, fraud, and abuse may be entitled to receive part of the government’s financial recoveries as a whistleblower reward. What is a whistleblower reward law? A: Under multiple U.S. whistleblower laws, a U.S. citizen or foreign national who discloses…Learn MoreProtection from Whistleblower Retaliation FAQ
The first step in reviewing a whistleblower claim is to determine what statutes or common law actions may provide a remedy. A case may be covered under more than one whistleblower protection provision. However, it has many complicated components and requirements, which can harm any person that pursues such a claim without counsel. If, after…Learn MoreCoronavirus Whistleblower FAQ
There are multiple whistleblower laws available to whistleblowers looking to report fraud in coronavirus spending or health and safety violations. Which whistleblower laws apply to employees reporting health and safety violations or frauds related to coronavirus spending? A: The applicable law depends on the type of violation being reported. For whistleblowers reporting health and safety…Learn MoreAuditing and Accounting Whistleblowers FAQ
Auditors and accountants have more tools for reporting fraud than they may realize.Learn MoreOil and Gas Whistleblower FAQ
Whistleblower laws can protect and reward whistleblowers with knowledge of fraud or corruption in the oil and gas industry.Learn MoreCoal Whistleblower FAQ
Whistleblower laws can protect and reward whistleblowers with knowledge of fraud in the coal industry.Learn MoreIllegal Timber Trade Whistleblower FAQ
Under current laws like the Lacey Act and False Claims Act, whistleblowers can be protected and receive rewards when exposing fraud within the illegal timber trade. What is the illegal timber trade? A: The illegal timber trade is the harvesting, processing, transporting, buying or selling of timber in violation of national and international laws. As…Learn MoreWildlife Whistleblower FAQ
Whistleblowers worldwide can qualify for monetary rewards when reporting wildlife trafficking, illegal logging, illegal poaching, and illegal fishing when the information results in a successful enforcement action.Learn MoreEnvironmental Whistleblower FAQ
Environmental whistleblowers have protections under multiple federal environmental laws. What federal laws protect environmental whistleblowers? Multiple federal environmental laws - including the Toxic Substances Control Act, Atomic Energy Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and the federal Superfund law - have special provisions protecting whistleblowers. Who is protected? Almost any private sector or federal employee can…Learn MoreNuclear Whistleblower FAQ
Whistleblowers in the nuclear power and nuclear weapons industries are specifically protected under section 211 of the Energy Reorganization Act. What federal laws protect nuclear whistleblowers? Whistleblowers in the nuclear power and nuclear weapons industries are specifically protected under section 211 of the Energy Reorganization Act. Who is protected? Private sector employees and federal employees…Learn MoreState Whistleblower FAQ
State courts were the first body of government to step up and start protecting whistleblowers. It is recommended to look at the individual state laws for whistleblower protection programs.Learn MoreMedicare and Medicaid Fraud Whistleblower FAQ
Medicare/Medicaid fraud means a medical provider – doctor, dentist, hospital, hospice care provider or nursing home – makes a fraudulent reimbursement claim. The most common types of fraud include: billing for unnecessary procedures or procedures that are never performed; for unnecessary medical tests or tests never performed; or for unnecessary equipment.Learn MoreUtility Sector Whistleblower FAQ
There are various state and federal laws that can protect whistleblowers who report illegal activity or other misconduct in the utilities sectors. Learn more about utility sector whistleblowers, here.Learn MoreSarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Whistleblower FAQ
Whistleblowers should be aware that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is a complex and lengthy piece of legislation enacted by the United States Congress in 2002. This FAQ will help you understand your rights and where to get started if you would like to report.Learn MoreCommodity Exchange Act Whistleblower FAQ
Commodity Exchange Act is a federal act passed in 1936 by the U.S. Government. The Act provides federal regulation of all commodities and futures trading activities and requires all futures and commodity options to be traded on organized exchanges. What is the Commodity Exchange Act? The Commodity Exchange Act is a federal act passed in…Learn MoreFreedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Discovery FAQ
FOIA allows the public better access to government records. With these records, the public can find out what the government knows about them and what types of policies agencies use to govern the public. What is "discovery"? Discovery is the legal tool that enables parties in litigation to obtain relevant information from each other. It…Learn MoreFAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions about whistleblower laws, protections, and more.