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THE DEFENSE HOTLINE PROGRAM

The Defense Hotline Program provides an opportunity to report significant instances of fraud, waste, abuse of authority, and gross mismanagement. It is DoD policy to combat fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in DoD programs and operations. The Defense Hotline Program strives to ensure that allegations are properly evaluated and examined, and that appropriate remedial, corrective, and judicial actions are taken.

WHO OPERATES THE HOTLINE?

The Office of Inspector General, Department of Defense, Washington, DC. Calls are answered by professional investigators with expertise in the areas of audits, contracts, security, inspections, and criminal investigations.

WHO MAY USE THE HOTLINE?

DoD civilian and military personnel, Defense contractor employees, as well as private citizens.

DO I HAVE TO IDENTIFY MYSELF?

No, only if you want to. You may remain anonymous, or you may identify yourself. If you identify yourself to a Hotline investigator, your identity will be kept confidential. We will ask if you are willing to be interviewed by an investigator assigned to your case. If so, we will only release your identity to that investigator.

The Defense Hotline relies on concerned Defense Department civilian employees, service members, and citizens to provide us with information regarding alleged fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement within the DoD. We understand the value of complaints provided by individuals who desire to maintain their anonymity. We also understand the value of being able to contact complainants to ask for additional information or clarification of their complaint. If you choose to identify yourself we will not divulge your identity to outside agencies without your consent or a determination of the Director, Defense Hotline, that such disclosure is otherwise unavoidable in order to address the matters in your complaint. Such circumstances may include a matter involving a specific danger to health or safety, or a national security issue.

HOW CAN I CONTACT THE HOTLINE?

Before you call or write, if you have not already, please review: What should be reported?

You may call the Hotline using our toll-free number (800) 424-9098,or you may submit your report in writing by mail, to: DEFENSE HOTLINE, THE PENTAGON, WASHINGTON DC 20301-1900.

Persons who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may also contact us through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 (additional information regarding the Federal Relay Service may be obtained through it's website www.gsa.gov/frs).

You may submit your written complaint by fax at telephone number (703) 604-8567 or DSN number 664-8567, or via e-mail by using the convenient FWA Complaint Form

You can also submit your complaint via e-mail from your own internet browser to: hotline@dodig.mil. If you submit attachments with your e-mail complaint please ensure they are in either ASCII text or Microsoft Word version 6.0 or higher formats only.

WHEN SHOULD YOU CALL?

Immediately! Disclosure should be made as soon as information is available. Telephone lines are open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (EST), Monday through Friday.

DEFENSE HOTLINE ANSWERING MACHINE

If you contact the Defense Hotline during non-work hours you will hear a recorded message. The message will advise you that you have reached the Defense Hotline and that you should call back between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (EST), Monday through Friday.

We do not receive complaints via recorded message; all complaints are taken by Hotline investigators.

WHAT SHOULD BE REPORTED?

  • Violations of law, rule, or regulation
  • Substantial and specific danger to public health or safety
  • Contract and procurement irregularities:
    • Cost/labor mischarging
    • Defective pricing
    • Defective parts
    • Bid rigging
    • Product substitution
    • Spare parts overpricing
  • Bribery and acceptance of gratuities
  • Significant cases of mismanagement
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Travel (TDY/TAD) fraud
  • Abuse of authority
  • Theft and abuse of Government property
  • Military Reprisal (Violations of the Whistleblower Protection Act involving service members)
  • Violations of the Whistleblower Protection Act involving Defense contractor employees and non-appropriated fund employees
  • Gross waste of funds
  • Appropriated fund employees come under the jurisdiction of the Office of Special Counsel for investigations of violations of the Whistleblower Protection Act.

 

When calling or sending in a complaint, please be as specific as possible. Your complaint should provide:

  • The servicemember's or employee's full name
  • rank or pay grade
  • duty station
  • specifically what wrongdoing you are reporting
  • specific dates and times
  • specific location where wrongdoing occurred
  • how the individual completed the alleged wrongdoing
  • why the individual perpetrated the offense
  • why you believe the alleged activity was misconduct

 

Minor incidents of offenses listed above, i.e., minor time and attendance abuse, or misuse of Government vehicles should be reported to your local Inspector General, military investigative service, or military police unit. We encourage you to register complaints and grievances through appropriate management and grievance channels, and submit suggestions for management improvements through the proper DoD Incentive Awards Program. Personnel matters involving requests for individual relief should be handled through the appropriate grievance channels.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT WHEN YOU CALL THE HOTLINE?

A thorough interview by the Hotline investigator. You will be asked to provide information that will help the investigator piece together the facts of the situation (who, what, when, where, why, and how) and assess the estimated dollar loss to the Government. An evaluation of your complaint will be made to determine if an investigation is warranted or if you need to refer the matter to other authorities. Your call will be handled with complete confidentiality and you may remain anonymous. Anyone making a report to the Hotline will be protected from reprisal. You may call back to the Hotline to learn how your report was handled.

Defense Hotline Answering Machine:

If you contact the Defense Hotline during non-work hours you will hear a recorded message. The message will advise you that you have reached the Defense Hotline and it will ask that you call back between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (EST). We do not take complaints via recorded message. All complaints are taken by Hotline investigators.

WHEN SHOULD I SUBMIT A WRITTEN REPORT TO THE HOTLINE?

If your report is complex and documentation is available to support your complaint you should submit your complaint in writing . Written complaints should contain sufficient information including: who, what, when, where, how, and why.

If you believe you are the victim of reprisal or an improper referral for a mental health evaluation you must submit a written complaint to the Hotline.

Confirmation Letters in Response to Hotline Complaints:

If you submit a written complaint via mail, fax, or e-mail, in which you identify yourself and provide your home or mailing address we will confirm receipt of your complaint by sending you a letter. We will tell you what action was taken regarding your complaint. If a Hotline investigation was initiated we tell you the Hotline case number and how you can check on the status of your complaint. We will not correspond with you at a unit or Defense agency address to preclude compromising your identity, even if you did not want confidentiality. We do not send confirmation letters in response to telephonic complaints.

HOW CAN I DETERMINE THE STATUS OF MY CASE?

Call us at (800) 424-9098. An investigator will determine your case number (if you don't know the case number) and tell you the status of your case. You should record the case number so that you can periodically check on your case. The investigator can only tell you if your case is open or closed. If your case has been closed, because of the Privacy Act of 1974, we are precluded from advising you of specific case details. We can only tell you whether or not the allegations were substantiated.

To obtain more specific information you must submit a Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act request to our FOIA/PA) Office.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RESOLVE A HOTLINE COMPLAINT?

Normally, inquiries are completed within 180 days. However, the time required to complete the inquiry may vary depending on the complexity or amount of additional material or allegations received.

HOW CAN I GET A COPY OF A HOTLINE COMPLETION REPORT?

You must submit a written request to the Freedom of Information Act(FOIA)/Privacy Act(PA) Office.