President Donald Trump and Vice President (VP) JD Vance announced a $25 million program to reward people for reporting suspected fraud against the federal government.
“I’m thrilled to announce the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program,” President Trump said during a conference in the Oval Office. “Independent journalists and everybody and Americans will now be able to go to Fraud.gov and report cases of corruption and theft of taxpayer dollars in their communities.”
According to President Trump, anyone who reports suspected fraud will receive a 1% commission on the value of money recovered, no matter the amount.
DOJ's Whistleblower Rewards Program & Fraud WHIP Are The Same
An hour prior to President Trump and VP Vance’s announcement, the Department of Justice (DOJ) also announced the Whistleblower Rewards Program.
The Whistleblower Rewards Program and the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program (WHIP) appear to be the same.
Reporting Criteria
According to the DOJ, basic eligibility criteria include voluntary participation; truthful, original information in writing; information directly related to the government’s outlined subject matter areas; reporting by an uninvolved individual; and information that leads to criminal charges.
The outlined subject matter areas include offenses such as healthcare fraud, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud, unemployment fraud, and student aid fraud.
Up to $30,000 In Rewards
Individuals can begin reporting at America.gov/fraud.
According to the fraud reporting site, individuals can earn up to $30,000 if their reporting includes their contact information and leads to criminal charges.
Anti-Fraud Task Force Persists
The effort is part of the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud’s ongoing initiative to crack down on nationwide fraud across all sectors of the federal government.
“Every day, President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud is zeroing in on the rampant abuse of taxpayer dollars and giving Americans the accountability they deserve,” White House spokesperson Lauren Bis said. “This administration has zero tolerance for individuals who steal from Americans.”
