REPORT FRAUD

Internal Audit and Advisory Services manages the Department of Public Instruction Fraud Hotline established by the agency as part of its ongoing fraud detection and prevention efforts.

The Hotline is intended for the use of Department employees as a vehicle for reporting suspected fraud, misuse of Department resources by vendors, contractors, grantees or Department employees, and significant violations of Department policy. Fraud is an intentional act that results in the misrepresentation or misapplication of the Department's resources or assets. The misuse of Department resources would include, for example, the use of a Department computer to run an outside business. In instances when non-Department callers use the Hotline, their complaints are also processed.

Anyone suspecting fraud, waste, or abuse involving the Department's funds or programs should call or write the Hotline:

  • Send a message to hotline@dpi.nc.gov to report potential fraud, waste, or abuse of the Department of Public Instruction's assets or resources. Please provide specific information (who, what, where, when, why, and how) so that we may investigate the matter thoroughly. If you would like us to contact you directly please provide your contact information.

  • Submit a written complaint to:
    Internal Audit Hotline
    North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
    6301 Mail Service Center
    Raleigh, NC 27699-6301

The State Auditor's Hotline is another resource to report allegations.


WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION

North Carolina General Statute § 126-84 encourages state employees to report fraud, waste, and abuse of state resources. Employees wishing to report complaints are protected from retaliation under General Statute § 126-85.


QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

What should be reported and what should not be reported?

A variety of situations may be considered fraud, waste, or abuse in the Department's programs. Some examples are:

  • Suspected theft or misuse of the Department's property
  • Overcharging for products and services purchased at a lower rate
  • Billing for services never rendered
  • Double-billing or charging more than once for the same service
  • Intentional misuse of funds for other purposes
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Falsification of official documents (timesheets, leave reports, etc.)

The Hotline is not for general complaints, suggestions, or personnel issues. It is primarily a report intake operation focused on concerns at the state-level. Issues involving local funds, programs, employees, etc. should be addressed with the local board of education or other established channels before being reported to the Hotline.


What information should I provide?

The more information you provide, the more effective the investigation. You should provide the following specific information:

  • Detailed description of the fraud, waste, or abuse and how it was carried out
  • Names, positions, organizations involved
  • Date(s) and duration of occurrence(s)
  • Type and location of any available documentation or evidence
  • If applicable, approximate dollar amount involved
  • Name(s) of any credible witnesses
  • Type of funds (state/federal) or programs involved and any specific restrictions, rules, or regulations that relate to them
  • Bid, contract, grant numbers and date of the award

Do I have to give my name?

No, your report may be made anonymously. However, without a means to contact you with follow-up questions, the investigation could come to a dead-end.


Will the information I provide be kept confidential?

The internal auditor respects requests for confidentiality and avoids disclosing information unless there is a legal or professional obligation to do so. In some cases the information may be referred to more appropriate authorities such as law enforcement.