WHISTLEBLOWER 

INFORMATION

For EMPLOYEES OF FDIC CONTRACTORS, 

SUBCONTRACTORS, OR PERSONAL SERVICES 

CONTRACTORS

Whistleblowers perform an important service to the Federal 

Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the public when 

they come forward with what they reasonably believe to be 

evidence of wrongdoing. They should never be subject to 

reprisal for doing so.

Federal law protects federal employees against reprisal for whistleblowing. In addition, under Title 

41, United States Code, Section 4712, it is illegal for an employee of a Federal contractor, 

subcontractor, grantee, or subgrantee or personal services contractor to be discharged, demoted, or 

otherwise discriminated against for making a protected whistleblower disclosure. Also, under 

Presidential Policy Directive (PPD-19), an action affecting access to classified information cannot be 

taken in reprisal for protected whistleblowing.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG) has jurisdiction to 

investigate allegations of reprisal for whistleblowing by employees of FDIC contractors, 

subcontractors, or personal services contractors. Information on how to report suspected reprisal to 

theOIG is available at: https://www.fdicoig.gov/oig-hotline.
WHAT IS A WHISTLEBLOWER?

A whistleblower is an employee of a Federal contractor, subcontractor or personal services contractor 

who discloses information that the individual reasonably believes is evidence of:

• Gross mismanagement of a Federal contract;

• A gross waste of Federal funds;

• An abuse of authority relating to a Federal contract or grant;

• A substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; or

• A violation of law, rule or regulation related to a Federal contract (Including the competition 

for or negotiation of a contract).

TO WHOM MUST THE DISCLOSURE BE MADE TO BE PROTECTED?

To be protected under Section 4712, a disclosure must be made to one of the following:

• A Member of Congress, or a representative of a committee of Congress;

• The Office of Inspector General;

• The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO);

• A Federal employee responsible for contract or grant oversight or management at the relevant 

agency;

• An authorized official ofthe FDIC;

• A court or Grand Jury; or

• A management official or other employee of the contractor, subcontractor who has the 

responsibility to investigate, discover, or address misconduct.

Disclosures involving classified information should be made in accordance with otherwise applicable 

laws, and individuals should consult with the OIG Whistleblower Protection Coordinator to ensure 

that such disclosures to it are made appropriately.

WHAT CAN I DO IF I BELIEVE RETALIATION HAS OCCURRED?

Employees of contractors, subcontractors or personal services contractors may file a complaint under 

Section 4712 with the OIG Hotline, which will investigate the matter unless the OIG determines that 

the complaint is frivolous, fails to allege a violation of the prohibition against whistleblower reprisal, 

or has been addressed in another proceeding. Upon completion of its investigation, the OIG will 

submit a report of its findings to the complainant, the contractor and the head of the FDIC.

If you are an employee of the FDIC, or of an FDIC contractor, subcontractor or personal services 

contractor, and you suspect that a personnel action or an action affecting access to classified 

information has been taken against you in reprisal for making a disclosure of wrongdoing, you may 

report it to the OIG.

Nothing in a non-disclosure agreement should be interpreted as limiting your ability to provide 

information to the OIG.
For further information about whistleblower rights and protections, please see the Whistleblower 

Protection page on the OIG’s website at:

https://www.fdicoig.gov/whistleblower-protection 

Note: The OIG does not have authority to investigate EEO complaints. For such matters, please refer 

to the FDIC Office of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWI) website:

https://www.fdic.gov/about/diversity/eo/index.html

If you wish to make a whistleblower disclosure or report reprisal for doing so outside the FDIC, you 

may contact the U.S. Office of Special Counsel website: https://osc.gov.

HOW CAN I REPORT WRONGDOING TO FDIC OIG?

If you know about waste, fraud, abuse, misconduct, or whistleblower reprisal relating to an FDIC

employee, program, or contract, you may report it to the OIG through the following:

Website: https://fdicoig.gov/hotline Mailing Address:

Hotline: 1-800-964-3342/ Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

 1-800-964-FDIC Office of Inspector General Hotline

 3501 Fairfax Drive

 Room VS-D-9069

 Arlington, VA 22226