Reporting Fraud, Waste and Abuse
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of the Texas State Auditor’s Office (SAO) investigates specific acts or allegations of impropriety, malfeasance or nonfeasance in the obligation, expenditure, receipt, or use of state funds associated with state agencies, colleges or universities.
Through the years, the SIU has obtained indictments against a school superintendent, an administrative assistant to a college dean, and employees in various state agencies for misuse of property or falsifying information.
SAO investigates criminal offenses, which include theft, forgery, tampering with governmental records, securing execution of document by deception, misapplication of fiduciary property, conversion of funds, abuse of official capacity, gifts to a public servant by a person who is subject to the official’s jurisdiction, breach of computer security, organized crime, money laundering and bribery.
As you might imagine, in a state the size of Texas, monitoring state agencies, universities and colleges is a monumental task. SIU needs Texans’ help in its role as guardian of your tax dollars. To report fraud, waste or abuse occurring within a Texas state agency, college or university, call the SAO Hotline at (800) 892-8384. You also may report fraud by filling out a form that is available on the Internet at http://sao.fraud.state.tx.us.
Reports of fraud also may be mailed. Address your report to the State Auditor’s Office, Attention: SIU, Post Office Box 12067, Austin, Texas 78711.
All reports are held in confidence, and individuals may choose to remain anonymous. When reporting an incident of fraud or abuse, SAO officials ask that you please provide as much detail as possible.
Public employees who, in good faith, report official wrongdoing are protected by the Whistleblower Act. This law prohibits retaliation against public employees. If the employee is the victim of retaliation, he or she may file suit against a state or local government for damages, reinstatement, lost wages, court costs and legal fees.
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has its own Internal Audit Division (IAD) that works to prevent fraud and waste within TDHCA and its auxiliaries.
IAD’s hotline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; calls are answered, and information is converted into an incident report. Individuals who call may remain anonymous.
You may report an incident concerning fraud, waste or abuse at the TDHCA by calling (877) 749-3316; by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or by faxing (770) 409-5008.
In an ideal world, SIU and IAD employees would have little or no work, but until that ideal world becomes a reality, these two agencies within agencies will continue to work to ensure that your tax dollars are being spent wisely, efficiently and legally.
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