Employee Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to report suspected fraud?
What if I don’t want to talk to anyone within the company?
How will the report be confidential?
Should I provide contact information?
What type of information do I need to leave?
Will reporting fraud jeopardize my job?
When can I expect the fraud will be detected?
Why do I need to report suspected fraud?
You are an important ally in protecting our organization against fraud. Fraud costs businesses and organizations nationwide millions of dollars each year. These losses ultimately affect the prices we pay for goods and services, the resources that nonprofits provide, and the taxes we pay to the various federal, state, and local governments.
Wrongful behavior causes stress in the workplace and can accelerate over time when nothing is said.
If you note anything suspicious you should report it to the designated person in the company.
What if I don’t want to talk to anyone within the company?
We recognize that the decision to file a report can be difficult in some circumstances. If you suspect fraud within your organization, you can file a confidential report online at www.fraudreportonline.com.
What is fraudreportonline.com?
This is an outside service we have contracted with to provide employees of your organization with a confidential means to report fraud.
How will the report be confidential?
You do not have to provide your contact information unless you choose.
You should access the online service from an internet connection outside the company. For increased confidentiality you can use an internet connection at an internet café or public library. If you do provide contact information, do not use our company email address or company phone number., user personal email or phone number.
Should I provide contact information?
If you do not provide contact information, your identity will be completely anonymous. However, providing contact information enables our third party contractor to follow up with you to clarify information or ask additional questions that can help resolve the issue that you reported. If you choose to leave your contact information be assured that the third party will not reveal the information without your permission unless directed by a court order.
What type of information do I need to leave?
The more information that you provide increases the likelihood that the fraud will be detected by management. Provide the following to the extent possible:
ˇ Who is involved: names of involved parties
ˇ When it happened: dates or reported activity
ˇ Who else might have information: other witnesses to the suspected activity
ˇ What types of transactions are involved
ˇ How did this come to your attention
ˇ How you believe the fraud is happening
ˇ Where did the fraud take place
There may be seemingly insignificant details that have bearing on the issues, so please provide as much information as possible.
Will reporting fraud jeopardize my job?
Your company has instituted a whistleblower policy in accordance with the requirements of the Sarbannes Oxley Act. Under this policy anyone who reports a violation in good faith cannot be subject to retaliation, harassment, or adverse employment consequence.
When can I expect the fraud will be detected?
Depending on the nature of the situation it can take weeks or months to follow up on the information. It may look like nothing is happening if things need to be kept confidential in order to gather more evidence.
Sometimes the information reported is not sufficiently detailed to proceed further but it may be enough to encourage management to institute additional checks and balances or heightened alert in a certain area.
"Simply having a fraud hotline can act as a deterrent."
"Employees are more likely to report suspected fraud if they can report anonymously"