BEFORE you submit a complaint to the City's Fraud Hotline
Make sure you understand the types of complaints we can – and cannot – investigate.
We CAN investigate complaints where:
- Someone who works for the City (such as an employee, vendor, board or commission member, or volunteer) stole something from the City.
- Examples: An employee stole money, equipment, supplies, data, time, or something else.
- Someone who works for the City cheated the City some other way.
- Examples: A vendor submitted a fake invoice, falsified a timesheet, or spent more time or money than they should have on something, even if it was unintentional.
- Someone who works for the City used the fact that they work for the City to give a friend or relative more help than they should have with a City matter.
- Examples: An employee helped their relative get a City job they weren’t qualified for and didn’t disclose they knew the person, or they made sure their friend got a City contract when they weren’t as well qualified as someone else.
We CANNOT investigate situations where:
- The problem was not related to City government.
- Examples: Someone stole your money on eBay or convinced you to get money out of your bank account for services you never received. Even if this happened within City limits, our staff do not have the power to investigate it. We also cannot investigate issues under the control of other governments, such as Multnomah County or the State of Oregon.
- You are unhappy with something the City did or did not do, but the problem does not involve fraud, waste, inefficiency, or abuse.
- Examples: Personnel matters (such as difficulties with a co-worker or supervisor), decisions made by City Council, or reporting problems like a pothole, stolen bike, or abandoned vehicle.
Find other ways to resolve your concern
There are other ways to get involved, express your opinion, or report concerns that do not involve fraud, waste, inefficiency, or abuse. Calling the City’s 311 system (dial 311) or sending 311 an email may help you get more information about where to turn.
View our other resources for information about where to report wrongdoing that isn’t within our power to investigate.
Not sure?
Not sure if what you saw, or suspect, is worth reporting? File a report. We would rather you report a situation that turns out to be harmless than let fraud, waste, inefficiency, or abuse go unchecked.
The information here can help you decide:
- Frequently asked questions about the Fraud Hotline
- How to report fraud, waste, inefficiency, and abuse
- Other resources to report fraud, waste, inefficiency, or abuse
- Reportable incidents and examples
Submit your complaint
If your complaint falls into the categories we can investigate, please file a report.
File a report online - OR - Call the Hotline: 866-342-4148
Please keep in mind the following:
- You may file an anonymous report or submit contact information.
- The more information we have, the better we can investigate your claim.
You can be anonymous
The Fraud Hotline is operated through an outside vendor to ensure security and anonymity. The vendor does not track or record the phone number, internet provider, or location of a person submitting a tip unless the person chooses to voluntarily submit such information.
If you choose to file an anonymous complaint, please note the PIN issued to you after completing your report and check back periodically. We frequently have follow-up questions or need additional information. The PIN is unique to your complaint and is only made available to you. The PIN will allow you to review the status of your report and to answer any follow-up questions or requests for additional information.
Provide details
When you submit a report, please provide as much detail as possible (including who, what, when, where, and how) and be as descriptive as possible (including dates, names, location, amounts, and witnesses). If available, please provide documentation to substantiate your report.
The Audit Services Division of the City Auditor's Office receives and reviews all reports. After an initial review, reports may be investigated further by Audit Services or may be referred to a more appropriate agency for further investigation, review, or response. Some cases may be closed if they lack merit or we don’t receive enough information to investigate.