Learn More About FCPA Whistleblower Protection and Rewards

What is Whistleblowing?

Whistleblowing is the act of reporting or revealing wrongdoing or illicit activity. Whistleblowing can take many forms, including providing information to the authorities as well as revealing illicit activity to the general public. Whistleblowing does not always involve illegal activity and can sometimes involve disclosing actions that are considered unethical or immoral.

Am I Protected From Retaliation When I Blow the Whistle on Corporate Crime?

There are numerous laws that protect individuals in the U.S. who wish to blow the whistle.  However, FCPA whistleblower laws are complex, and whether they will offer protection to you depends on what you report, when you report and how you report. If you have witnessed something in your workplace and want to report, we suggest that you speak with an experienced whistleblower attorney at FBR before taking any action. Reporting to the wrong person or entity could affect your rights and protections as a whistleblower.

What is a Whistleblower Award?

A whistleblower award is a payment you can receive from the U.S. government for providing information on companies that commit fraud, bribery, or tax evasion. In 2012 the U.S. government started rewarding brave individuals (often called whistleblowers) for providing information on corporate crime and so far has paid out over $2 billion dollars. If you are considering becoming an FCPA whistleblower, it is important to partner with a law firm for protection and to increase your chances of receiving a reward.

We focus on representing whistleblowers who want to report  FCPA violations, money laundering, terrorist financing and sanctions violations. We handle reporting to both the SEC and the DOJ.

Can I Report Violations Anonymously?

Yes.  Most whistleblowers can report anonymously, and their names will not be revealed even when they are paid their award.

Why Should I Report or Become A Whistleblower?

We recommend that anyone who believes in corporate accountability, fighting corruption, or preventing fraud should report violations they have witnessed. Additionally, you should always seek out protection from retaliation when reporting. This is especially true if you are reporting FCPA violations. Ensuring the safety and anonymity of whistleblowers is the number one priority of the FCPA whistleblower attorneys at FBR. Our experienced team will go to great lengths to provide protection to FCPA whistleblowers.

Rewards for reporting are a great incentive but should be viewed as a secondary benefit of the whistleblower programs, with the primary benefit being that the conduct you report will hopefully be investigated and prosecuted. If you are solely motivated to become an FCPA whistleblower by the prospect of receiving a reward, our firm may not be a good fit for you. We endeavor to obtain the maximum award possible for all of our clients but prefer to partner with those who have a passion for justice, those who want to help in the fight against corruption, fraud, and injustice, and those whose primary goal is to do the right thing.

Can I Report As Part of A Group?

Yes. The SEC has provided awards to joint whistleblowers.

How do I know if I qualify for a whistleblower award?

The quickest and easiest way is to take our free, anonymous, online evaluation. We use an algorithm to gather information about your claim and determine whether you meet certain legal requirements to qualify. The evaluation will also help us determine whether you may qualify for FCPA whistleblower protection. The evaluation is quick, simple, and can be taken for free:

Do I need a lawyer?

The U.S. government does not require you to use a lawyer when providing information.

However, if you don’t submit your claim correctly, you may lose your entitlement to your award. Using a qualified and experienced law firm like FBR to help with your application can provide a number of benefits with respect to your FCPA whistleblower reward and protection:

  • Using an attorney can help ensure that your claim gets noticed and investigated. The Office of the Whistleblower receives a lot of information, and it doesn’t have the resources to investigate every claim;
  • Using an attorney also ensures that you can maximize the award by making the strongest possible case;
  • Anonymity is an FCPA whistleblower’s best protection against retaliation. If you don’t use an attorney, you cannot submit information anonymously to the SEC. However, using an attorney allows you to do this;
  • An attorney will take care of the legal procedures, including making sure you meet submission deadlines. It also provides you with an advocate in the United Kingdom who can speak on your behalf; 
  • An attorney can provide additional protection for an FCPA whistleblower by ensuring that none of the information they submit can be used to identify them;
  • Our online evaluation and consultation process are provided free of charge. If you do wish to engage us, we work on contingency, meaning we only get paid if you get paid

FBR has years of experience representing individuals and investigating bribery and corruption around the globe. We can quickly provide advice on how to maximize your claim and make sure you submit your claim before someone beats you to it. The first step is to take the online evaluation:

What does it cost?

We are committed to transparency which is why we are happy to provide our price list:

  1. Taking Our Anonymous Online Whistleblower Award Evaluation:  Free 
  2. Initial consultation with an experienced and award-winning attorney:  Free
  3. If you choose to partner with FBR and receive an award, we take a portion. And if you do not receive a reward, our FCPA and SEC whistleblower services, including assistance in ensuring protection against retaliation, are completely Free. If you have any questions feel free to contact us, as we are always happy to speak.

Can Compliance and Audit Employees Qualify?

Yes. The SEC has paid awards to compliance and audit personnel. However, there are special rules that apply if you work in either of these categories, and it is critical that you speak to an attorney before you submit information to the SEC. Partner with FBR for additional protection when seeking an FCPA whistleblower reward as a compliance and audit employee.

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