Hotline

Notice

If you are experiencing or have knowledge of a health or safety emergency involving immediate danger of physical harm to self or others, call 911 or your local law enforcement authority.

Report Corruption, Fraud, Waste, Abuse, Mismanagement or Misconduct

Downloadable Poster Version

What to Report to the DHS OIG Hotline

The DHS Office of Inspector General investigates fraud, waste, abuse, and criminal misconduct involving DHS programs, personnel, and funds. Examples of these types of violations include:

Border corruption
DHS employee criminal activity
Cybercrime
Misuse of classified information
Bribery and acceptance of gratuities
Conflicts of interest
Disaster and pandemic fraud involving DHS funds
Contract and procurement fraud
Whistleblower retaliation

What NOT to Report to the DHS OIG Hotline

The DHS OIG hotline is NOT an emergency services network. While complaints can be submitted to the DHS OIG hotline at any time, the hotline is not actively monitored 24 hours per day and complaints are generally processed in the order they are received. As such, if there is an immediate threat to life or safety, call 911. Do not use our hotline to report emergencies.

The DHS OIG hotline should not be used to report allegations that are unrelated to DHS or allegations that would be more appropriately addressed by entities other than DHS OIG. Direct links to specific offices for reporting some common issues are as follows:

Equal Employment Opportunity complaints, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, physical or mental disability, or protected genetic information, may be reported through the DHS EEO Complaint Process.
Immigration violations, including marriage fraud and individuals in the country without authorization, may be reported to ICE.
Medical questions or concerns related to detainees in ICE facilities may be reported to the ICE ERO Detention and Information Line at 1 (888) 351-4024.
Questions regarding visa or citizenship applications may be reported to the USCIS Ombudsperson.
Issues related to travel processing, including watchlist questions and denied entry issues, may be reported to the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) Office.

Submitting repeated complaints to DHS OIG regarding the same matter will not result in faster or additional action. Additionally, the DHS OIG hotline should not be used to submit links to news stories or complaints based solely on information derived from the news media.

How can I report an allegation?

Online fillable Allegation Form is Recommended:

Call: 1-800-323-8603 toll free

TTY: 1-844-889-4357 toll free

U.S. Mail:

DHS Office of Inspector General/MAIL STOP 0305
Attn: Office of Investigations - Hotline
245 Murray Lane SW
Washington, DC 20528-0305

Hot Links

Reporting FEMA Fraud

If you have knowledge of employee corruption, fraud, waste, abuse or allegation of mismanagement involving FEMA disaster relief operations, please report it to the DHS OIG Hotline. You can file a report online by accessing the DHS OIG Online Allegation Form. Automated filing of the DHS OIG Online Allegation form will ensure that your allegation is expeditiously received by the OIG.

If you wish to receive an electronic “Complaint Number Notification” alert message via email, you must provide a point of contact email address. Failure to provide a point of contact email address precludes the OIG from notifying you of the assignment of a Complaint Number to your allegation.

Your allegation will be reviewed and processed in the order it was received. Assignment of a Complaint Number, and notification of such assignment, is not an indication your complaint will be investigated by the DHS OIG or any other applicable investigative body.

If you cannot use the DHS OIG Online Allegation Form, please file your allegation by:

U.S. Mail:

DHS Office of Inspector General/MAIL STOP 0305

Attention: Hotline

245 Murray Lane SW

Washington, DC 20528-0305

Phone: 1-800-323-8603

Disaster Relief Resources

Please report as much detailed information as possible such as: Who? What? Where? Why? How? Allegations may be made anonymously or you may request confidentiality.

How to Get Help: http://www.FEMA.gov
Donate and Volunteer: http://www.RedCross.org/en/volunteer
Health and Safety: http://www.CDC.gov
En Espanol: http://www.usa.gov/gobiernousa/

Undocumented Immigrants

To report undocumented immigrants, please call the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE to report suspicious activity.

For more information click here: http://www.ICE.gov

Employers Hiring Undocumented Immigrants

To report employers hiring undocumented immigrants, please call the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE to report suspicious activity.

For more information click here: http://www.ICE.gov

Reporting Immigration Irregularities or Violations (Not Involving DHS Employees)

To report immigration irregularities or violations, please call the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE to report suspicious activity.

For more information click here: http://www.ICE.gov

Customs and Border Protection

For questions and information regarding the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), please call the CBP INFO Center. The Center is open Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. EDT. You can ask your question via email or by calling 1-877-CBP-5511.

If you are outside the U.S. you must call 202-325-8000 or click here for additional information: http://www.cbp.gov

Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired: 1-800-877-8339 or https://www.federalip.us/

Immigration Status

To determine the status of immigration matters or seek assistance in the immigration process, please contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

For more information, click here: https://www.uscis.gov

Assistance with Immigration or Citizenship

For more information, click here: https://www.uscis.gov

Hotline Frequently Asked Questions

What to Report to the DHS OIG Hotline

The Allegations that should be reported to the OIG Hotline include, but are not limited to: Employee corruption, civil rights and civil liberties abuses, program fraud and financial crimes, and miscellaneous criminal and non-criminal activity associated with waste, abuse, mismanagement or misconduct affecting the programs and operations of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Who can file an allegation?

The OIG Hotline receives allegations from multiple sources, including DHS employees (to include contractors) and concerned citizens.

How do you file a “whistleblower” allegation?

If you believe you are a victim of whistleblower retaliation, please contact the OIG Hotline or the Office of Special Counsel for more information by accessing the Whistleblower Resources.

Why should I provide my name?

The OIG relies upon concerned employees and citizens to provide us with information regarding alleged employee corruption, waste, fraud, mismanagement or misconduct within DHS. Although not required to do so, we urge you to identify yourself when submitting an allegation using the automated DHS OIG Online Allegation form. If the information you provide is helpful, we may need to contact you in-person or via the internet, telephone or U.S. Mail for additional information.

Can I remain anonymous? What is confidentiality?

Individuals who contact the OIG may 1) remain anonymous, 2) identify him/herself but request confidentiality by noting they do not wish his/her identity to be revealed, or 3) fully disclose their identity.

It may be necessary for the OIG to reveal a confidential complainant's identity if such identification is necessary to investigate the alleged matter, or as otherwise required by law. Complainants who file anonymously, or those requesting confidentiality, should understand filing as such may hinder the OIG's ability to thoroughly pursue their complaint. Anonymity may be forfeited when submitting an online allegation to the DHS OIG Hotline, if a confirmation receipt with Complaint Number is desired

What information should I include in my allegations?

If filing under any condition other than “anonymously” please make sure you provide your name, address, telephone number, and all other pertinent contact information. If you wish to receive a Complaint Number Notification alert message via email you must provide a valid point of contact email address.

If the alleged offender is a DHS employee, please provide the employee's name, title, tour of duty, and the name and address of the DHS agency where the employee works. Additionally, the information you provide should be as detailed as possible.

Who was involved in the alleged wrongdoing (person, DHS Agency or organization)?
What did the individual or entity do?
Where did the incident take place?
When did it happen? Is it still ongoing?
How was the activity committed?
How did you become aware of the problem?
Who else has knowledge of the potential wrongdoing?

Some of this information is (*) “required” when filing an allegation using the online DHS OIG Online Allegation form

How do I file an allegation?

The preferred method of filing an allegation is via the DHS OIG Online Allegation form. You may also use the U.S. Mail, or phone to file your allegation materials:

U.S. Mail:

DHS Office of Inspector General/MAIL STOP 0305

Attention: Hotline

245 Murray Lane SW

Washington, DC 20528-0305

Phone: 1-800-323-8603

What is done with the information that is received by the Hotline?

Information that is received by the OIG Hotline is reviewed to determine if DHS OIG investigation or referral to a more appropriate entity is warranted. If the allegation does not fall within the scope of DHS OIG's jurisdiction, that information may be forwarded to the appropriate agency or authority for their review.

What can I expect after filing an allegation with DHS OIG?

Unless you are contacted directly by one of our investigators, there will be no communication from our office.

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).

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