U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of Reports are received by the Hotline?

• Named or Identified Sources
• Confidential Sources
• Anonymous Sources

Will my identity be protected?

• We protect the identity of confidential Federal government employee informants and sources to the maximum extent required by the IG Act of 1978.
• We will protect the identity of non-Federal government employees who report information and request confidentiality.

What should I report to the Hotline?

• Violations of Federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to HUD programs and funding
• Substantial and specific danger to health or public safety at HUD Public/Multifamily Housing Developments
• Contract and Procurement Irregularities
• Theft and Abuse of Government Property
• Employee Misconduct
• Abuse of Authority
• Conflict of Interests
• Housing Subsidy Fraud
• Serious Mismanagement
• Ethics Violations by HUD Officials
• Bribery
  
  

What types of reports are not accepted by the OIG Hotline?

• Maintenance Issues in Public Housing
  Office of Public Housing
  www.hud.gov/offices/pih
  1-800-955-2232
  
  
• Maintenance Issues in Multifamily
  Office of Multifamily
  http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/
  program_offices/housing/mfh/hc/complaint
  1-800-685-8470
  
  
• Housing Voucher, Rent Calculations, Landlord-Tenant Disputes, Evictions in Public Housing
  Office of Public Housing
  www.hud.gov/offices/pih
  1-800-955-2232
  
  
• Rent Calculations, Landlord-Tenant Disputes, Evictions in Multifamily
  Office of Multifamily
  http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/
  program_offices/housing/mfh/hc/complaint
  1-800-685-8470
  
  
• Community Planning and Development
  Office of Community Planning and Development
  http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/about/complaints.cfm
  
  
• Single Family Housing
  Office of Single Family Housing
  http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/
  program_offices/housing/sfh/fharesourcectr
  
  
• Housing Discrimination
  Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO)
  http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/
  topics/housing_discrimination
  1-800-669-9777
  
  
• Whistleblower Disclosures and Whistleblower Retaliation Issues
  U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC)
  www.osc.gov/wbdisc.htm
  1-800-872-9855
  
  
• Conventional Mortgages
  Federal Trade Commission
  www.ftc.gov/oig/contactus.shtm
  1-877-382-4357
  
  
• Foreclosures
  HUD's National Servicing Center
  http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/
  topics/avoiding_foreclosure
  1-888-297-8685
  
  
• Mortgage Insurance Premium Refund Questions/Complaints
  HUD's Support Service Center 451 7^th Street, S.W. Washington , DC 20410
  http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/comp/refunds/
  fhafact.cfm
  1-800-697-6967
  

What information do I need to provide to the Hotline?

• WHO (Names, addresses, phone numbers)
• WHAT (Specific events and evidence; loss to HUD program)
• WHEN (Date, time, frequency)
• WHERE (Location, City, State, Housing Authority)
• WHY (Gain to violator)
• HOW (What scheme was used)
• Include any documentation to support the allegation(s). Information that is too vague or cannot be supported can result in a closed report, without any action taken.
• You must submit a written statement in support of allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, and/or mismanagement

What will happen after making a report?

• If we know who you are and we open a case to address your allegations, you will receive a letter from us providing you with the Hotline case number.
• If your identity is known by us, you may be contacted by an investigator or auditor for additional information.
• We will also notify you when the case is closed and provide information on how to obtain the case results under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
• The decision to pursue a Hotline report either through an investigation, audit or review rests exclusively with the OIG. The OIG will not provide you with case status updates or other information while the case is under review.

What if the OIG does not open a case?

Many of the reports the Hotline receives do not result in audits, investigations, or reviews because they are HUD program related or administrative matters. In these situations, we will make every attempt to forward the report to the appropriate HUD office or other government agency.

You will not receive a response on issues not related to the OIG.