The Department of Defense Hotline - Hotline Complaint

Issues related to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement regarding programs and personnel under the purview of the U.S. Department of Defense that DO NOT involve reprisals or classified information.

Examples of these types of violations include:

Threats to homeland security Health and safety issues Trafficking in persons Improper military mental health evaluations Leaks of classified information Bribery and acceptance of gratuities Counterfeit or substandard parts

Whistleblower Reprisals Conflicts of interest Contract and procurement fraud Computer crimes Health care fraud Travel or purchase card fraud Cost/labor mischarging

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Certain matters may be better resolved through other channels, instead of the DoD Hotline. The following matters are NOT generally investigated by the Department of Defense Inspector General.

For your convenience and reference, we have provided referral information to the appropriate channels via the links below. Select any of the topics below to learn where to appropriately direct your complaint:

911 Emergencies Minor incidents of time and attendance abuse Minor incidents of theft of Government resources Minor incidents of misuse of Government vehicles Department of Defense job opportunities DoD Incentive Awards Program suggestions

Personnel matters involving requests for individual relief Employment related grievances and complaints against management officials Complaints of EEO discrimination Matters relating to the Uniform Code of Military Justice to include Article 15 appeals Tricare complaints

DoD Contractor Compliance and Disclosure requirements Locating a military service member Obtaining military records Child and spousal support matters Pay and allowance matters Deceptive lending practices and other consumer fraud

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Members of the public and Department of Defense employees (military members, civilian employees, and DoD contractor employees) may file a complaint with the DoD Hotline.

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Here are some consideration points regarding what to expect after you file a Hotline complaint: 

• Unless you are contacted directly by one of our investigators, there will be no communication from our office, outside of correspondence which may advise you that your matter has been referred to the cognizant Department of Defense entity for appropriate action, where and if applicable.
• Federal regulations prohibit the disclosure of information contained in investigative and law enforcement records, even to the individual submitting the allegation(s).
• Our office will NOT provide anyone, to include the source of the complaint, with the status of action(s) taken on any allegation.  This includes details pertaining to the processing of your complaint.  The information you provide will be handled according to our internal policies and guidelines, and appropriate action will be taken, as determined.
• Once a file is closed, results may be requested under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).  For information regarding how to submit a FOIA request, click here.

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Consistent with the requirements of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, it is DoD Hotline policy that Hotline Personnel will not disclose the identity of an individual providing a complaint or information to the DoD Hotline unless the individual consents to such disclosure, or the DoD Hotline Director has determined that such disclosure is otherwise unavoidable in order to address the complaint or information.  Such circumstances may include a matter involving a specific danger to health, safety, or a national security issue.

You are not required to identify yourself when submitting a DoD Hotline complaint.  In addition to filing anonymously (where you do not give the DoD Hotline any identifying information), you may also indicate your election of consent or non-consent to disclosure. To view the DoD Hotline 'Consent to Certain Disclosures of Information' form, you may click here.

CONSENT TO DISCLOSURE:

When providing consent to the disclosure of your identity outside of the DoD Hotline, disclosure is provided only on a "need-to-know" basis to organizations and/or other investigative personnel necessary to complete the inquiry into your allegations and to effectuate corrective actions, if any. Sometimes it is beneficial for those investigative personnel tasked to look into the matter to be able to clarify or obtain additional information from the source of the complaint, if needed.  Thus, that is the scenario under which such consent would aid the process. 

NON-CONSENT TO DISCLOSURE:

You have two options when you do not provide consent to disclosure of your identity:

• Release your identity to the DoD IG only, via DoD Hotline personnel, with the understanding that your information will not be released to anyone outside of the DoD Hotline, to include other investigating officials outside of the DoD Hotline, which may be assigned to look into your matter;
  
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• Identify yourself with the understanding that only the DoD IG, via DoD Hotline personnel, and the tasked investigator, who may be outside of the DoD Hotline, will know who you are.

If you do not consent to disclosure of your identity, the DoD Hotline will make every effort to protect your identity from disclosure; however, we cannot guarantee confidentiality since disclosure may be required during the investigation or in the course of corrective action. Regardless of the consent disclosure choice you elect (consent or non-consent), your identity may be disclosed if required by applicable legal authority, or the Director, DoD Hotline, determines that such disclosure is otherwise unavoidable to address the matters contained in the complaint.  Such circumstances may include a matter involving a specific danger to health or safety, or a national security issue.

ANONYMOUS FILING STATUS:

If you file your complaint anonymously, we will not know who you are.  As such, we will not be able to contact you to request additional information or to give you the open or closed status of the investigation.  If you have established a temporary e-mail account to submit an anonymous complaint, without any other identifying or contact information, the DoD Hotline will not provide a response, as we have no method of verifying your identity. If you elect anonymity, without providing any contact information, you will be unable to request confirmation of receipt of this complaint to the DoD Hotline, or to receive advisements as to "Open" or "Closed" status.

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