To report suspected corporate fraud, contact government offices or professional organizations. Provide detailed information about the situation and keep copies of relevant documents. Anonymous tips may be accepted by some agencies.
Many government offices and agencies accept reports of suspected corporate fraud, and these can be a good start if a consumer, vendor, or member of the public believes a business is engaging in fraudulent activity. It may also be possible to report fraud to a professional organization, depending on the nature of the business and whether it belongs to a group such as a bar association or Better Business Bureau. In all cases, it’s helpful to have as much information about the situation as possible, and be prepared to leave contact information in case you have any further questions or concerns.
If you suspect corporate fraud, the first step in reporting is to think about the type of fraud involved. This could include identity theft, tax evasion or consumer deception. The most appropriate place to file a report depends on the type of fraud. Consumers who have been personally defrauded may wish to contact the Attorney General’s Office to file a complaint. For identity theft, law enforcement agencies are appropriate, while tax authorities want to hear about tax fraud.
If a business belongs to a professional organization, it’s also a good idea to report business fraud to that organization. It will conduct an investigation to learn more about the situation and may file reports with government agencies, suspend a license to do business under its auspices, or facilitate reparations such as providing compensation to a consumer who has suffered losses. These organizations maintain a high standard of professionalism and rely in part on reports from members of the public to identify members who do not meet their standards.
When reporting corporate fraud, information about your business and situation should be as detailed as possible. It should include the company’s name, location, and contact information, the names of any individuals with whom the person submitting the report may have interacted, and supporting information such as any communications from the company. Consumers should keep copies of statements, disclosures, and other statements so they can use them to report corporate fraud or resolve disputes.
Some journalists may prefer to remain anonymous because they are acting as concerned citizens, rather than complaining about a situation in which they are personally involved. Government agencies may accept confidential tips, depending on their nature, while others may not, but they will maintain confidentiality if people file reports and wish to remain unknown outside the agency. Attorneys general do not usually accept anonymous fraud reports, as part of their job involves resolving the situation and they need to be able to contact the consumer to discuss fraud awards.
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