Hotline Overview

Fraud, Waste, Abuse and Mismanagement

In general, fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement are actions or behaviors that undermine the efficient, lawful, and ethical use of government resources.

Fraud: Fraud is intentionally deceiving or misrepresenting information to gain something of value (such as money, property, or services) that you are not entitled to. For example, submitting false invoices for payment, lying on a grant application, or stealing government property.

Waste: Waste is the careless or extravagant use of government resources, leading to unnecessary costs or losses. Unlike fraud, waste doesn’t require intent to deceive but still harms efficiency. For example, buying more supplies than needed, poor project planning that leads to excessive delays, or leaving valuable equipment unused.

Abuse: Abuse occurs when someone misuses their position or government resources for personal gain or benefit, even if it isn’t technically illegal. For example, using a government vehicle for personal errands, assigning unqualified friends to jobs, or inflating hours worked.

Mismanagement: Mismanagement refers to poor leadership or decision-making that causes inefficiencies or fails to protect taxpayer funds. This often results from negligence rather than intentional wrongdoing. For example, overlooking critical safety inspections, failing to monitor a contractor’s performance, or ignoring warnings about cost overruns.

The DOE OIG hotline accepts information and complaints on potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement within its jurisdiction, including the following common examples:

• Abuse or misuse of government funds
• Contract, procurement, and grant fraud
• Environmental, health, and safety violations
• Cyber crimes
• Product substitution and suspect/counterfeit parts
• Bribery, kickbacks, and gratuities
• False statements and false claims
• Conflicts of interest and ethics violations
• Theft or abuse of government property
• Violations of federal laws and regulations
• Tips or information related to criminal wrongdoing

Complaints Outside DOE OIG Jurisdiction

Some issues fall outside the DOE OIG’s jurisdiction. For example, complaints involving discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation should be directed to your agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office. Similarly, workplace disputes involving personnel matters may be best addressed by your Human Resources Department, and routine disputes over contract terms, payment issues, or performance disagreements would typically be handled by the DOE office of Hearings and Appeals or the contracting officer managing the agreement. 

When DOE OIG receives complaints better suited by another office or agency, we make every effort to refer you to the appropriate resource to ensure your concerns are properly handled. For additional guidance, please see Additional Resources or call the OIG Hotline for help with your complaint.

When submitting your complaint, include as many relevant details as possible to support a thorough investigation, including the following:

1. The program office or facility affected by the alleged wrongdoing.
2. The person, company, or organization involved in the misconduct.
3. If applicable, contract numbers, award dates, or any identifying details related to federal contracts or grants.
4. The dates or timeframes when the wrongdoing occurred.
5. A detailed description of the alleged misconduct, including what happened, how it occurred, and why it violates laws, regulations, or policies.
6. How you became aware of the issue, any steps you or others have taken to address the problem, and the status of the situation.
7. The identity of potential witnesses who may have information about the wrongdoing.
8. The type and location of supporting documentation, such as emails, contracts, invoices, or other records.

Providing clear and detailed information helps ensure your complaint is properly evaluated and investigated. If you are unsure what to include, hotline staff can guide you through the process.

The DOE OIG Hotline accepts complaints via email, phone, fax, regular mail, and the DOE OIG online complaint form available on the DOE OIG website. We recommend using the online form, as its step-by-step format makes submission easy and efficient..

Confidential Complaints

If you choose to file a confidential complaint, your identity will be protected under the Inspector General Act of 1978. The OIG will not reveal your name unless you give explicit permission or if disclosure is legally unavoidable.

Confidential status allows the OIG to:

• Communicate with you directly to request additional information, if needed.
• Provide updates on the actions taken in response to your complaint.

Anonymous Complaints

If you file an anonymous complaint, your identity will not be known to anyone, including the OIG staff handling your report. While anonymous complaints are treated just as seriously as other reports, there are some limitations:

• The OIG cannot contact you for more details if additional information is needed.
• You will not receive updates about the status or outcomes of your complaint.

Only UNCLASSIFIED complaints may be transmitted via email, phone, FAX, regular mail, or the DOE OIG online complaint form

CLASSIFIED complaints must be transmitted through secure government communication systems authorized for handling information at the appropriate classification level.

If you need to file a classified complaint, contact the OIG hotline to arrange secure intake and ensure proper handling of sensitive information.

Complaint Acknowledgment

When you submit a complaint to the OIG, you may receive an automated acknowledgment. All submissions are reviewed for relevance and completeness, but not all result in an investigation. If you provide contact information, an official may reach out for additional details. However, lack of follow-up does not mean your complaint is not under review.

Status Updates

If you previously submitted a complaint, you may request a status update via email. Due to Privacy Act restrictions and OIG policy, we can only confirm whether a complaint is open or closed—no further details will be provided. If you submitted anonymously, we cannot provide status updates. Once a case is closed, you may request additional information through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, subject to legal exemptions protecting investigations, confidential sources, or personal privacy.

Post-Complaint Communication

To protect investigations and confidentiality, the OIG does not proactively update complainants on case progress. While some submission methods generate an automatic acknowledgment, others do not. If you don’t receive an acknowledgment, your complaint may still be under review. Privacy laws limit what we can disclose, but you may confirm whether your complaint is open or closed—no further details will be provided.

These resources may provide relevant information to assist with your complaint.

1. Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) of 1989

The WPA is a pivotal federal statute designed to safeguard federal employees who disclose evidence of wrongdoing within government agencies. The WPA aims to encourage the reporting of misconduct by offering protections against retaliation.
Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989

2. Whistleblower Improvement Act (WIP) of 2021

The WIP strengthened protections for federal employees in key areas, including prohibiting retaliatory investigations, increased confidentiality safeguards, and stronger protections for whistleblowers sharing information with Congress.
Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act of 2021

3. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Description: The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. If you experience workplace discrimination, the EEOC provides a formal complaint process.
EEOC Complaint Process

4. U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC)

Description: The OSC investigates prohibited personnel practices, including whistleblower retaliation, within the federal workforce. If you face retaliation for reporting misconduct or encounter other prohibited personnel practices, the OSC can assist you.
OSC Complaint Filing

5. DOE Office of Civil Rights and Diversity

Description: This office addresses complaints related to discrimination or harassment within DOE programs and operations. They ensure compliance with civil rights laws and promote a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Link: DOE Office of Civil Rights and Diversity

6. U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Description: OSHA handles complaints about workplace safety and health hazards. If you believe your working conditions are unsafe or unhealthful, you can file a complaint with OSHA.
Link: OSHA Complaint Filing

7. U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Inspector General

Description: The DOJ OIG investigates allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct involving DOJ programs and personnel. If your complaint pertains to DOJ operations, this office can assist.
Link: DOJ OIG Complaint Submission

8. U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE)

Description: The OGE provides oversight, policy, and guidance to prevent and resolve conflicts of interest in the executive branch. For concerns about ethical conduct of federal employees, the OGE is a valuable resource.
Link: OGE Contact Information

9. U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)

Description: The MSPB adjudicates appeals of federal employees on various employment matters, including adverse actions and alleged violations of merit system principles. If you seek to appeal a personnel decision, the MSPB can provide guidance. 
Link: MSPB Appeals Process