Do you possess any evidence of corporate fraud? If so, you can consider becoming a whistleblower. Whether you are a current employee, a former employee, an auditor, a consultant, or a competitor, blowing the whistle against a company for its illegal activities can make authorities aware of practices that violate the law. Also, you can do the same when an entity’s activity endangers patients, steals taxpayer funds, or cheats investors. The whistleblowing programs of the government contain different rules and regulations that can impact the whistleblower’s ability to qualify for an award.
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Can You Be a Whistleblower?
To be a whistleblower, you need to have specific and detailed information about significant fraud against the government, as well as violations against commodity law, securities law, or tax laws. As a whistleblower, you qualify for protection against job retaliation and rewards in some cases.
In the private sector, you can get job protection and rewards in some kinds of cases under the False Claims Act and The Dodd-Frank Act. The False Claims Act protects you from discrimination, suspension, harassment, or termination after reporting a violation under the act. Also, The Dodd-Frank Act makes it illegal for employers to retaliate against whistleblowers.
Should You Hire an Attorney?
A lawyer should file a whistleblower claim in New Jersey with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), so you can remain anonymous under the Dodd-Frank Act. If you want to be a whistleblower, it is a great idea to call a lawyer with extensive experience handling successful whistleblower cases before you take any action. The best attorney can evaluate your situation and give you advice on the best and safest course you can take based on your circumstances.
The majority of whistleblower lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay them if they can win your case and you can get a reward. Your attorney can also suggest some options on how you can proceed at your workplace.
Remaining Anonymous as a Whistleblower
Your anonymity depends on the type of allegation you may need to report. While you may not be able to stay completely anonymous with other laws, you can protect your confidentiality by filing a whistleblower claim under a law that offers strict protection for confidentiality. Aside from the False Claims Act and the Dodd-Frank Act, the IRS tax whistleblower law can also protect your confidentiality.