A whistleblower hotline allows citizens to alert authorities to suspected cases of economic fraud.
Whistleblowing hotlines are special audio communication programs that allow people to report illegal activity without requiring callers to reveal their identity. Typically, the hotline takes the form of a dedicated phone number that can be called to report anything from embezzlement, insider trading, or other types of suspected fraud. The idea behind the whistleblower hotline is to provide a way for concerned citizens to alert authorities to suspected financial fraud without putting themselves in harm’s way.
A traditional whistleblower hotline is structured with a phone number that can be used to target authorities or even watchdog groups within specific sectors when there is a suspicion that some form of fraudulent activity is taking place. There are also examples of corporations choosing to set up this type of hotline for internal use, allowing people in the organization to report suspicious behavior without fear of losing their job. When a report is received from a whistleblower, the information is investigated, allowing us to determine if there is indeed any type of fraudulent activity. If anything illegal is detected, the information along with the evidence provided through the whistleblower hotline can be turned over to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
In addition to using traditional telephone communications as the basis for contacting a whistleblower hotline, there is also the option of incorporating the use of email broadcasts into the process. People who believe there is reason to suspect fraud is taking place can set up an anonymous email account and then use the account to send an email to the address provided by the hotline describing the suspicious activity. An alternative is a website that allows you to write and forward messages to the email address without requiring the sender to provide any type of identification. Some hotline structures even allow receiving postal mail as an option for people who fear being identified due to traces placed on phone calls or online communications.
While a municipality or company can set up a whistleblowing hotline that is managed internally, it is also possible to outsource this function to a third party. In some cases, this may be preferable as persons using the hotline may perceive the presence of a third party as another layer of protection against potential identification. Companies that provide whistleblowing hotline services often offer the option of a toll-free phone number, email address, and even websites that are set up not to collect any data that could identify the person initiating the contact.