The U.S. Department of the Treasury has launched a new whistleblower program designed to incentivize Americans to report fraud, money laundering, and sanctions or tax violations. The program aims to increase transparency and combat the abuse of taxpayer dollars.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that whistleblowers are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the financial system. The department has created a dedicated online portal that consolidates existing whistleblower programs, making it easier for individuals to find information and submit allegations.
"Today, on National Whistleblower Day, Treasury launched a new webpage that brings our whistleblower programs together in one place, making it easier to find information and navigate the reporting process," Bessent said in a statement released by the department.
Individuals who provide explicit details of legitimate fraudulent transactions could receive financial awards ranging from 10% to 30% of the total penalties recovered through successful enforcement actions. These actions are carried out by the Departments of Treasury and Justice.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to identify and address fraud across federal programs, which officials estimate has resulted in billions of dollars lost to waste and abuse. The program complements the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, an executive initiative led by Vice President JD Vance.
The new Treasury webpage also serves as a central hub for the department's anti-fraud efforts, which include IRS fraud investigations, sanctions enforcement, financial institution alerts, and whistleblower protections. A Treasury spokesperson emphasized the department's commitment to preventing fraud, disrupting criminal networks, and holding wrongdoers accountable.
Both the whistleblower program and the anti-fraud task force were established following a significant fraud scandal in Minnesota that exposed widespread abuse of taxpayer funds. Reports indicated that some individuals were allegedly exploiting social services to divert millions of dollars, with some funds potentially linked to terror groups.
"President Trump has been clear that Americans have a right to know that their tax dollars are not being diverted to fund acts of global terror or to fund luxury cars for fraudsters," a statement from Bessent featured on the new website reads. "At Treasury, we follow the money."
The online portal provides direct reporting links to various Treasury bureaus, including the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, the IRS, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, ensuring that tips are routed to the most appropriate agency for investigation. Specific details regarding the calculation of whistleblower payments and the eligibility criteria for rewards have not yet been fully specified by the Treasury Department.