Who We Help

Whistleblowing is a powerful tool in the fight against fraud, corruption, and wrongdoing in the financial and governmental sectors. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have well-established whistleblower programs designed to encourage individuals to report violations of securities laws, commodities laws, and tax laws, respectively. These programs offer financial incentives, confidentiality protections, and avenues for individuals to disclose valuable information about misconduct. Here’s who can be a whistleblower for each program:

SEC Whistleblower Program

1. Employees and Insiders: Current or former employees, contractors, consultants, or other insiders who have witnessed securities fraud, insider trading, accounting violations, or other illegal activities within publicly traded companies, investment firms, or brokerage houses can be whistleblowers. They may have firsthand knowledge of deceptive practices, manipulation of financial statements, or misleading disclosures that violate securities laws.
2. Investors and Shareholders: Individuals who have invested in securities or have knowledge of investment scams, Ponzi schemes, market manipulation, or other fraudulent activities that harm investors can report to the SEC whistleblower program. These individuals may have been victims of financial fraud or have observed suspicious behavior in the market.
3. Industry Professionals: Professionals working in the financial industry, such as auditors, accountants, compliance officers, or analysts, who become aware of violations of securities laws or regulations can act as whistleblowers. Their expertise and insights into industry practices make them valuable sources of information for the SEC.

CFTC Whistleblower Program

1. Commodity Market Participants: Individuals who have knowledge of fraudulent activities, price manipulation, or other violations of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) within the commodities and derivatives markets can report to the CFTC whistleblower program. This includes traders, brokers, market analysts, or other participants in commodity futures, options, swaps, or other derivatives markets.
2. Insiders and Financial Researchers: Like the SEC program, the CFTC whistleblower program welcomes disclosures from insiders, employees, contractors, or individuals with personal knowledge of misconduct in the commodities industry. Additionally, observers of market manipulation or deceptive practices can also come forward as whistleblowers.

Anti-Money Laundering Whistleblower Program

Under the United States Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Anti-Money Laundering Program, various individuals and entities can report money laundering including:

1. Non-Financial Businesses and Professions: Certain businesses and professions such as real estate professionals, precious metals dealers, and accountants can report suspicious activities.
2. Individuals: Any person who has knowledge or suspicion of money laundering activities can report it. This includes employees of financial institutions, concerned citizens, and anyone else who has knowledge of illegal conduct.

IRS Whistleblower Program

1. Taxpayers and Professionals: Individuals with information about tax evasion, fraudulent tax schemes, underreporting of income, or other violations of tax laws can report to the IRS whistleblower program. This includes taxpayers who have knowledge of their own or others’ tax misconduct, as well as tax professionals, accountants, or attorneys who become aware of fraudulent activities.
2. Corporate Insiders: Employees, executives, or insiders within corporations or businesses who have evidence of tax fraud, corporate underpayment of tax, or misuse of tax shelters can act as whistleblowers. They may have access to internal documents, financial records, or communications that reveal deliberate attempts to evade taxes or defraud the government.