Fraud, Waste & Abuse

Hotline – 1-800-232-5454

Online – Click here to report online

Fraud – An intentional deception that violates a law or the public trust for personal benefit or the benefit of others.
Waste – Behavior involving the extravagant, careless, or needless use of government funds, property, and/or personnel.
Abuse – Behavior involving the use of government funds or properly that a prudent person would not consider reasonable and necessary business practice given the facts and circumstances.

Since October 1983, the Comptroller of the Treasury has provided a toll-free hotline for reporting fraud, waste and abuse of government funds and property. Periodicals throughout Tennessee publish information to alert citizens to the hotline and to encourage them to report wasteful, inefficient or fraudulent activities. In addition, all state agencies, as well as those agencies receiving community grant funds, are required to call attention to the hotline by displaying in a prominent place signs with the following language:

If you observe a city board member or employee engaging in any activity which you consider to be illegal, improper or wasteful, please call the State Comptroller’s Toll-Free Hotline: 1-800-232-5454.

Suspected fraud, waste, or abuse can be reported by phone or online. Examples of reportable incidents include, but are not limited to:

• Theft of Money/Equipment/Services
• Fraud or Misuse of Grant Funds
• Personal Use of City Assets
• Corruption or Official Misconduct
• Personal Business on City Time
• Payroll Fraud
• Waste or Abuse of City Resources
• Purchasing Fraud
• Falsification of Documents or Reports
• Accepting or Soliciting Bribes