EPA OIG Hotline
What is the EPA OIG?
The Office of Inspector General is an independent organization that performs audits and investigations of the EPA to detect and prevent fraud, waste and abuse. Learn more
Contact the Hotline
WARNING REGARDING CONFIDENTIALITY
- 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.
- 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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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. |
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.
- Contact a specific EPA hotline.
- Or use the EPA Environmental Violations Form to report any incident.
| Examples of Specific Incidents of Pollution That Must Be Reported to the EPA Directly |
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| Examples of Other Issues That Are Not Within OIG Jurisdiction |
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Only complaints that address a specific EPA or Chemical Safety Board program, employee, grant or contract should be reported to the OIG Hotline.
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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.
About the Hotline
EPA OIG Hotline Poster
Per the requirement, EPAAR 1503.500–71,Exityou may download or print the OIG Hotline poster (8.5 x11 PDF). Posters may also be obtained by contacting the OIG at 1-888-546-8740 or (202) 566-2476.
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:
- Initiate an OIG investigation or audit.
- Refer the matter to EPA management for appropriate review and action.
- Refer the allegation to the EPA’s Scientific Integrity Officer for appropriate review and action.
- Refer the allegation to another federal agency, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
- Determine that the OIG will not pursue any action or make any referral.
Understanding Fraud, Waste and Abuse
- Brochure: Fraud, Waste and Abuse: Prevention, Detection and Reporting
- Fraud, Waste and Abuse: Indicators and Examples
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.
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.
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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.