FAQs
- Should I report a suspected serious fraud or corruption to the SFO?
- What types of fraud and corruption should be reported to the SFO?
- Can I speak out in confidence?
- What happens once I contact the SFO?
- Will I be kept informed of the outcome of the SFO investigation?
- Am I covered by the Public Interest Disclosure Act?
- Does the SFO provide legal advice on my work or employment status?
- Where can I get more information about the Public Interest Disclosure Act?
Should I report a suspected fraud or corruption to the SFO?
Yes, your report could provide valuable information which may contribute to us successfully investigating and prosecuting criminals. It doesn't matter if the fraud is happening now, took place in the past, or is planned to happen in the future.
Reporting fraud and corruption could positively benefit you and society by:
- Reducing fraud and corruption
- Protecting the public from future criminal conduct
- Reducing the cost to society caused by fraud and corruption
- Delivering justice and the rule of law
- Enabling compensation to be paid to the victims from the recovery of funds and assets obtained as a result of the criminal activity
- Maintaining confidence in the UK's business and financial institutions
What types of fraud and corruption should be reported to the SFO?
We are a government department and part of the UK criminal justice system. We aim to protect society by investigating and prosecuting those who commit serious, complex fraud and corruption. Our aims and objectives contribute to:
- Protecting the public by reducing the incidence and the cost of fraud and corruption
- Delivering justice and the rule of law
- Maintaining confidence in the UK's business and financial institutions.
Fraudsters do not recognise international boundaries. While the SFO has jurisdiction over England, Wales and Northern Ireland (but not over Scotland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands), it also works closely with other law enforcement agencies and regulators, both in the UK and abroad to investigate and prosecute people who commit serious and complex fraud, and corruption.
Our International Assistance team in particular works closely on cases where the criminal conduct is principally taking place in another jurisdiction. In such cases the SFO can and does act to assist other countries e.g. the Department of Justice in the United States.
Can I speak out in confidence?
Yes. If requested, we will treat any information you provide sensitively and in confidence. We will protect your identity and will only disclose your identity with your consent, or if directed to do so by a Court.
While you do not have to give us your name, it is helpful if we have it, together with other contact details, because it may be harder to investigate the concern if we cannot check or ask follow-up questions. Furthermore, if you provide us with your details it is easier to get protection under the Public Interest Disclosure Act.
If you are concerned about confidentiality you may like to talk to the lawyers at Public Concern at Work (an independent charity and a leading authority on public interest disclosures). They can be contacted on 020 7404 6609, by email at helpline@pcaw.co.uk or you can look at their website; www.pcaw.co.uk
What happens once I contact the SFO?
Your call, form, letter or email will be more helpful if it includes all the details of the suspected fraud/corruption and any relevant information or evidence that you know or possess.
If you are unsure about what to include, call the SFO on 020 7239 7388 and we will help.
We will take a record of the details of your disclosure so that an initial assessment of the information can be made. Depending on the information provided further communication with you in order to obtain the full picture of the allegation may be helpful.
Do not be alarmed if you do not hear back from us. This does not mean that your information was not important. We value your contribution very much. However, because of the sensitive nature of criminal investigations, we may not (for operational reasons or because of legal restrictions) be in a position to discuss any detail of the actions taken on the information you provided. We do ask for your patience and understanding in this matter.
If it becomes apparent that the information you have provided would be more appropriately reported to another government agency for action (e.g. the Police or the Financial Services Authority), we will contact you (if you have provided contact details) in order to agree the appropriate course of action (e.g. contact another agency).
Will I be kept informed of the outcome of the SFO investigation?
We appreciate that you may like to know what has happened as a result of the information that you have provided. If you wish, we will keep you informed when we are able to do so. However, there may be occasions when the sensitive nature of criminal investigation work may mean that we are unable or restricted by law from discussing the case.
Furthermore, complex investigations can also take considerable time and it may appear to you that nothing much has changed since you reported your information to us. This does not necessarily mean that nothing is happening. The process of investigation and gathering evidence must be carefully planned and executed and sometimes this may not be visible or apparent to you.
Am I covered by the Public Interest Disclosure Act?
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 covers employees, contractors, trainees, agency staff, home-workers, police officers and every professional in the NHS. The usual employment law restrictions on minimum qualification period and age do not apply to this Act. It does not cover the self-employed (other than in the NHS), volunteers, the intelligence services or the armed forces.
If in doubt then you can ask us at the time you make a report and we will ensure that your disclosure to us is logged for future reference should you require.
If you wish to obtain independent legal advice, then you can seek this independently or through an organisation dedicated to helping workers in your situation - Public Concern at Work.
Does the SFO provide legal advice on my work or employment status?
No. We cannot provide legal advice or intervene in matters of employment relations, and has no powers to determine whether or not PIDA protection applies. However, we will log your disclosure for you should you want the fact that you have made a disclosure to us recorded.
If you require confidential advice on what is protected by PIDA and how best to raise your concern, you may want to speak to your own solicitor or speak to the legal team at Public Concern at Work (an independent charity and a leading authority on public interest disclosures). They can be contacted on 020 7404 6609, by email at helpline@pcaw.co.uk or you can look at their website, www.pcaw.co.uk.
Where can I get more information about the Public Interest Disclosure Act?
You can try contacting:
- Your solicitor for advice
- Public Concern at Work (phone 020 7404 6609; email (helpline@pcaw.co.uk); for confidential and free advice
- DirectGov for useful information about the Act and your employment rights. It also has lists of useful contacts: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/ResolvingWorkplaceDisputes/Whistleblowingintheworkplace
