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Office of Inspector General

EPA OIG Hotline

Contact the Hotline


WARNING REGARDING CONFIDENTIALITY

  1. If you are an EPA or CSB employee, your confidentiality will be protected unless you give your consent or disclosure is unavoidable during the course of an investigation or audit.
  2. If you are not an EPA or CSB employee, and you request confidentiality, your confidentiality will be protected by the OIG to the maximum extent permitted by law (for example, by using applicable exemptions and exclusions of the Freedom of Information Act and applicable exemptions of the Privacy Act).

Special Notice Concerning the COVID-19 Pandemic

bannerOur office will receive  allegations of fraud, waste and abuse concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on EPA and CSB operations. 

  • Be aware of companies placing the EPA seal or the EPA registration number on their products claiming that they meet EPA standards.
  • Be cautious of imported products marketed as proven to effectively block various epidemic viruses.
  • Be on the lookout for websites claiming their products contain EPA-approved active ingredients, which kill 99.9% of all viruses and bacteria, including SAR-CoV-2 virus. These companies may put the EPA logo on the website to legitimize their products. For a list of EPA-approved disinfectants, please visit EPA Official List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2.
  • Be wary of companies claiming their services are endorsed or their equipment or material are certified by EPA.

If you suspect individuals or companies may be engaged in fraud, please contact our OIG hotline below. Learn more about our response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential investigation targets that we may pursue.

Email and Postal Mail Telephone and Fax

OIG_Hotline@epa.gov

During the COVID-19 lockdown, the EPA OIG is unable to review complaints received by physical mail or fax until further notice. We are still accepting complaints through our hotline email address and by phone.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Inspector General Hotline
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Mailcode 2431T
Washington, DC 20460

Toll-Free: 1-888-546-8740 (Nationwide)
Local: 202-566-2476
Fax: 202-566-2599 (not to exceed 20 pages, including cover sheet and/or contact info.)

If the line is busy due to caller volume, please leave a message and the hotline coordinator will return your call as soon as possible.

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What Not to Report to the OIG Hotline


The OIG Hotline handles allegations of fraud, waste and abuse in EPA and CSB programs generally. For immediate concerns regarding an environmental hazard, please contact an EPA hotline, as shown below.The OIG Hotline handles allegations of fraud, waste and abuse in EPA and CSB programs generally. For immediate concerns regarding an environmental hazard, please contact an EPA hotline, as shown below.

Examples of Specific Incidents of Pollution That Must Be Reported to the EPA Directly
  • Dumping of waste or a hazardous chemical on land or into a waterway.
  • Storage of hazardous waste.
  • Asbestos removal, storage and disposal.
  • Release of hazardous chemicals or substances into the air.
  • Lead hazards.
  • Radon risks and testing.
  • Pesticide poisoning.
  • Indoor mold growth.
Examples of Other Issues That Are Not Within OIG Jurisdiction

Only complaints that address a specific EPA or Chemical Safety Board program, employee, grant or contract should be reported to the OIG Hotline.

  • Emergency responses - in the case of a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
  • Questions concerning environmental laws and regulations.
  • EPA individual personnel issues and associated grievance matters.

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What Information to Provide 


Be as specific as possible and provide the following:

  • Relevant name(s) of all parties involved, including witnesses and other contacts.
  • Dates and times of the events or issues that you are identifying.
  • The location of the issue or the area that it impacts.
  • Name of contractor or grantee.
  • Contract or grant numbers.
  • Contract or grant award date.
  • Any additional pertinent information you have concerning the issue.

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About the Hotline


Podcast: What is the EPA OIG Hotline?

The Office of Inspector General Hotline (OIG) services both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB). The hotline encourages suggestions for assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of agency programs. It also receives complaints of fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in agency programs and operations, and violations of law, regulations and policies by EPA and CSB employees, grantees, contractors and program participants. Complaints and requests may be submitted by anyone, including EPA and CSB employees, participants in EPA and CSB programs, Congress, organizations and members of the public. While resources restrict the OIG from pursuing every allegation, reviews relating to the following topics, known or suspected, are prioritized:

  • Efficiency and effectiveness of agency programs.
  • EPA and CSB-related criminal activity.
  • EPA and CSB contract, procurement and grant fraud.
  • Mismanagement and waste of EPA and CSB resources, including in environmental programs.
  • Theft and misuse of EPA, CSB and other government property.
  • Misconduct by EPA and CSB employees.
  • EPA and CSB computer crimes.
  • Matters of high public, EPA, CSB or congressional interest.
  • Matters implicating high-level officials, for example, political or Senior Executive Service employees.

Upon receipt of a suggestion, allegation or request, the OIG may take any one of the following actions:

  1. Initiate an OIG investigation or audit.
  2. Refer the matter to EPA management for appropriate review and action.
  3. Refer the allegation to the EPA’s Scientific Integrity Officer for appropriate review and action.
  4. Refer the allegation to another federal agency, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
  5. Determine that the OIG will not pursue any action or make any referral.

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Understanding Fraud, Waste and Abuse


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Information for Whistleblowers


Information about laws protecting individuals who make complaints to the federal government and the role of the EPA’s Whistleblower Protection Coordinator is available on the OIG Whistleblower Protection page.

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OIG Independence of EPA

The EPA's Office of Inspector General is a part of the EPA, although Congress provides our funding separate from the agency, to ensure our independence. We were created pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended Exit.

Environmental Protection Agency  |  Office of Inspector General
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (2410T)  |  Washington, DC 20460  |  (202) 566-2391
OIG Hotline: 1-888-546-8740.