As much as we would all like to believe that fraud and corruption does not exists in the government, the reality is that it does. Morse still, innocent people often find themselves working side by side with someone who is clearly participating in fraudulent activities.

Knowing this, the U.S. government, as well as many state governments, have implemented “whistleblower” laws that not only protect employees who come forward with information about fraud but even offer a monetary reward to those employees under certain circumstances.

If you are in a position to “blow the whistle” you likely want to know “How does a whistleblower report fraud to the government?”

Because of the delicate nature of the situation and the complex laws relating to whistleblower compensation it is always best to consult with an experienced Florida employment law attorney first; however, a broad overview of how fraud is reported by a whistleblower may give you an idea of how you will ultimately proceed.

Both federal and state laws protect an employee who reports fraud or other violations by an employer to the appropriate agency.

These laws prevent an employer from retaliating and/or harassing an employee who steps forward to report the illegal activity. One way in which an employee is protected is by the confidential nature of a whistleblower report. In most cases, the identity of a whistleblower is kept confidential for as long as possible.

Of course, this does not mean that an employer cannot make an educated guess who filed the report. For this reason alone it is important that a potential whistleblower consult with an attorney prior to actually filing a report. Your attorney can ensure that your rights are protected and your identity kept confidential to the extent possible.

Fraud and other illegal activity can be reported in several ways, depending on the type of conduct and the agency or office involved. Many large agencies have a separate “whistleblower” hotline that can be used to report violations.

Others have very specific steps that must be taken, particularly if you are claiming a whistleblower reward for reporting the violations. To ensure that your report of fraud or other illegal activity is taken seriously, and to ensure that you receive any reward to which you are entitled, it is best to consult with an employment law attorney before filing your report.

If you wish to report fraud or other violations by your employer in the State of Florida, contact the experienced Florida employment law attorneys at Celler Legal, P.A. by calling 954-716-8601 to schedule your appointment.