If you suspect fraud or waste in a U.S. federal contract, start with the Inspector General (OIG) of the agency that awarded or manages the contract. If you cannot identify the agency, or the concern involves federal funds across agencies, submit it to GAO FraudNet, which can refer allegations to the appropriate office. Suspected criminal conduct may also be reported to the FBI. A False Claims Act lawsuit is a separate legal process, not a hotline submission.
How do I report suspected fraud or waste in a government contract?
- Identify the federal agency responsible for the contract. The agency’s OIG is usually the most direct reporting route. Use the CIGIE Inspector General directory to find the relevant office and its current complaint instructions. Each federal agency has an Inspector General with responsibilities that include investigating fraud against that agency. The DOJ OIG hotline is for matters involving the Department of Justice; it is not the right office for a contract administered by another department.
- Use GAO FraudNet if the agency is unclear or the issue spans federal funds. GAO FraudNet accepts reports of suspected fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement involving federal funds and may refer them to federal, state, or local agencies. GAO says it does not independently investigate complaints at individual reporters’ request. Its page offers online reporting, anonymous submissions, and a hotline at 1-800-424-5454. It also says classified information cannot be submitted through the website.
- Contact the FBI when the facts suggest criminal conduct. DOJ points to the FBI’s tips and leads page and local FBI offices for fraud and other criminal matters. For cyber-enabled crime, DOJ identifies the Internet Crime Complaint Center as a specialized channel.
- Get legal advice before considering a False Claims Act qui tam case. A qui tam action is a lawsuit filed in federal court by a person with knowledge of alleged fraud against the government. It has formal requirements, including filing under seal, and is not simply another way to submit a hotline complaint. DOJ notes that many people who pursue this route obtain legal counsel; whether particular facts qualify is a legal question.
Which reporting route fits the situation?
| Route | Best fit | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Agency OIG | A specific federal agency’s contract, program, or funds are involved. | Direct route to the Inspector General responsible for that agency; follow the OIG’s current complaint instructions. |
| GAO FraudNet | The agency is uncertain, or the concern involves federal funds more broadly. | GAO may refer the allegation to another government office. GAO says it does not investigate complaints on an individual reporter’s request. |
| FBI | The suspected conduct may be criminal fraud or another crime. | Report through the FBI’s tips channel or a local office; use IC3 for cyber-enabled crime. |
| False Claims Act qui tam | You are considering a lawsuit alleging fraud against the federal government. | A federal court action with special procedures, including filing under seal; legal advice may be appropriate. |
GAO reported that FraudNet processed more than 10,000 complaints and referred 1,239 to other agencies in fiscal year 2022. Those are historical FY2022 figures published September 12, 2023, not a current annual volume or a prediction about how an individual report will be handled. GAO’s report describes that activity.
What should I include in a report?
Explain the concern in concrete, factual terms. There is no single evidence checklist that applies to every agency hotline, but these details can help the receiving office understand what you are reporting:
- The contract, contractor, agency, program, or project involved, to the extent you know them.
- What you observed, and when and where it happened.
- Who may have been involved, distinguishing what you know firsthand from what you heard or inferred.
- Why the facts raise a concern about fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement.
- Relevant records or other information that may help explain the concern.
Preserve relevant records lawfully. Do not access, take, or transmit information you are not authorized to handle. In particular, GAO says classified information cannot be submitted through its website. If you submit an anonymous report to GAO, it says it will not contact you about the allegation or any action taken.
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What if I work for the contractor or a subcontractor?
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 3.903 prohibits reprisal against a contractor or subcontractor employee for certain qualifying disclosures. The disclosure must concern information the employee reasonably believes evidences gross mismanagement of a federal contract, gross waste of federal funds, abuse of authority related to a federal contract, a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or a related violation of law, rule, or regulation. The rule lists several protected recipients, not just the agency OIG.
Depending on the circumstances, protected recipients include a Member of Congress or committee representative, an Inspector General, GAO, a federal employee responsible for contract oversight or management, an authorized law-enforcement official, a court or grand jury, or a contractor or subcontractor management official responsible for addressing misconduct. See the current text of FAR 3.903.
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Reporting a suspected reprisal
If you believe you experienced prohibited reprisal, the FAR directs you to submit a complaint to the Inspector General of the agency concerned. Under the FAR’s rule for complaints under 41 U.S.C. 4712, a complaint may not be brought more than three years after the alleged reprisal. Check the relevant OIG’s current procedure and consider seeking qualified legal advice about your circumstances. The linked FAR text displayed FAC 2026-01, effective March 13, 2026; confirm the live rule and agency instructions when you file. FAR 3.904.
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