Fraud is defined as the wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain. Fraud includes false representation of fact, making false statements, or by concealment of information.

Waste is defined as the thoughtless or careless expenditure, mismanagement, or abuse of resources to the detriment (or potential detriment) of the U.S. government. Waste also includes incurring unnecessary costs resulting from inefficient or ineffective practices, systems, or controls.

When submitting a complaint to the OIG, you do not have to identify yourself. All complaints submitted to the Hotline are treated with high sensitivity. When submitting a complaint to the OIG, you have the option to 1) remain anonymous 2) provide information confidentially to OIG personnel 3) Waive confidentiality and agree to be contacted by OIG personnel and others outside OIG.

The USAID Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) mission is to protect the integrity of USAID programs and awards. Additionally, the Office of Inspector General provides independent oversight that promotes the efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity of foreign assistance programs and operations under USAID OIG’s jurisdiction. The purpose of the OIG Hotline is to receive complaints of fraud, waste, or abuse in our client agencies' programs and operations, including mismanagement or violations of law, rules, or regulations by employees or program participants.

The OIG receives several different types of reports and complaints including disclosures from implementers, allegations from anonymous tipsters, confidential complaints, letters, allegations via mail or OIG submission form, allegations via phone etc.

What to report:

• Complaints or information from an employee of USAID, MCC, USADF, or IAF concerning the possible existence of an activity constituting a violation of law, rules, or regulations or mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority or a substantial and specific danger to the public health and safety.

• Complaints from ay private individual concerning the possible existence of fraud, waste, abuse, or corruption in programming funded by USAID, MCC, USADF, or IAF.