Frequently Asked Questions about Reporting Fraud, Waste or Abuse
What information do I need to provide the OIG to make a complaint?
- Identify the city, town, agency, or other public entity involved.
- Provide the name(s) of individual(s) involved, with their positions or titles.
- Explain the issue or concern in as much detail as possible, including the nature, scope and timeframe of the suspected wrongdoing.
- Provide us with information about other individuals who may have relevant information or documents, as well as their contact information.
- Include copies of any related documents that support your claim(s), which can be uploaded in the reporting form, sent via email or mail.
What actions will the OIG take in response to a complaint?
OIG staff review each complaint to determine if it falls within our jurisdiction.
- If not, we redirect it to the appropriate agency.
Otherwise, OIG staff investigate, which can include summonsing records and interviewing witnesses. Possible outcomes include:
- Referral to prosecuting authority if we believe a crime has been committed.
- Issue a public report or letter with our findings and recommendations to improve internal and financial controls to prevent government misuse of funds.
- Require an agency to report on corrective actions.
- Close investigation if we cannot confirm the claims or are unable to follow-up with complainant.
How do I know if the OIG is the right agency to handle my complaint?
Generally speaking, the OIG handles complaints of fraud, waste, or abuse of public money and public resources on the state and municipal level.
The OIG investigates:
- Wasteful spending
- Misuse of public funds or property
- Failure to comply with public purchasing laws
- Over-billing
- Time fraud
- Bribery
- Fraud
- Embezzlement
- Bid-Rigging
The OIG does not investigate:
- Social Security
- Housing benefits
- Public assistance programs
- Unemployment benefits
- Phone and Internet scams
- EZ-Pass complaints
- Consumer complaints
- MBTA customer service
By law, we have jurisdiction to investigate spending by all state and local government, including authorities, districts, instrumentalities, and other political subdivisions. Our office also reviews those who receive state, local, or federal money, including companies, non-profit organizations, and individuals.
Does the OIG handle complaints related to the MBTA or public transportation?
Our Internal Special Audit Unit (ISAU) handles complaints of fraud, waste, and abuse of public and private transportation funds. This includes spending by MassDOT and the MBTA, as well as regional transit authorities, the use of Chapter 90 funds, and other expenditures of transportation funds.
The ISAU does not handle billing disputes related to E-Z Pass, or complaints related to MBTA Customer Support, driving safety, or road debris.
OIG Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline Video
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Skip this video OIG Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline.Whistleblower Laws, Retaliation and Intimidation: You May Be Protected
What is a whistleblower?
A whistleblower is a person who exposes suspected fraud, waste, abuse or other misconduct by an individual or organization. Often, a whistleblower is employed by, works with or has some other formal relationship with the alleged wrongdoer. However, that is not always the case. A whistleblower may be a vendor, subcontractor or a concerned member of the public. A person may be considered a whistleblower when they report the misconduct either internally or to an outside watchdog entity, such as the OIG.
Whistleblowers may be entitled to legal protections from retaliation under state or federal law, provided they follow certain procedures outlined in the whistleblower statutes.
What laws exist to protect whistleblowers?
Massachusetts whistleblower laws are designed to protect people who report information about suspected illegal, wasteful or unethical activity. When you report suspicions regarding illegal activity by an individual or organization to our public fraud, waste and abuse hotline or public transportation fraud, waste and abuse hotline, you and your identity may be protected under state law (M.G.L. c. 12A, § 14(b)). State law also specifically protects you from retaliation by your employer for submitting a complaint or disclosing information to the OIG (M.G.L. c. 12A, § 14(c)).
Other state laws, including the Massachusetts Whistleblower Act (M.G.L. c. 149, § 185), may provide further protections. State law also criminalizes the intimidation of whistleblowers. (M.G.L. c. 268, § 13B).
What is retaliation?
Retaliation occurs when an employer punishes, or threatens to punish, an employee for reporting fraud, waste or abuse, or for cooperating with an investigation of such misconduct. The misconduct may be perpetrated by the employer or another party with whom the employer has a business relationship.
Retaliation may take the form of an adverse employment action by the employer, including demotion, suspension, denial of a promotion or raise, or firing. Employees may be entitled to legal protection from retaliation under state or federal law, provided they follow certain statutory procedures.
Retaliatory behavior in other contexts, such as an agency punishing a vendor or a contractor punishing a subcontractor, may be prohibited by state or federal law as well, depending on the circumstances.
State law protects whistleblowers from retaliation.
What is intimidation?
Intimidation is when someone makes a direct or indirect threat, harasses, or attempts to injure or harass a witness or potential witness. In Massachusetts, witness intimidation is a crime. Such behavior against a witness or potential witness in an OIG investigation is illegal. (M.G.L. c. 268, § 13B).
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| Last updated: | June 4, 2025 |
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