Elon and DOGE ask the public to uncover waste and fraud. Here’s how to help…

2 CommentsBudget, Commentary, Efficiency, Government

Elon Musk has asked the X community to step up and share examples of government waste, fraud or abuse of which they are aware. He is assigning “handles” for users to message the relevant DOGE teams as they investigate agencies.

Reporting

Official Websites for Reporting Fraud, Waste, or Abuse

  1. Federal Level:
    • U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) FraudNet: Submit reports of fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement of federal funds via an online form, hotline, or email. Reports can be anonymous or confidential. www.gao.gov, to report fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement, visit the GAO FraudNet page directly: GAO FraudNet
    • Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotlines: Each federal agency has an OIG where you can report issues specific to that agency. Examples include the Department of the Treasury OIG, HHS OIG, and SSA OIG. Most offer online forms or hotlines, and anonymity is often an option.
    • Oversight.gov: A centralized platform to report wrongdoing in federal programs, managed by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE). Find the relevant OIG and file a complaint directly. www.oversight.gov, this site provides a centralized platform to report wrongdoing to federal Inspectors General and access reports from various oversight entities.
  2. State and Local Level:
    • Many states and localities have their own reporting mechanisms. For example:
      • North Carolina: Report fraud, waste, or abuse of state resources through the NC Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) website.
      • Texas: Use the Texas State Auditor’s Office hotline or the Office of the Attorney General.
      • Los Angeles: Report to the LA City Controller’s Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Unit online or by phone.
    • To find local options, check your state or city’s auditor, inspector general, or comptroller websites.

X as an Official Platform for Reporting

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established by President Trump and led by Elon Musk, has recently designated X as an official platform for reporting fraud, waste, and abuse. DOGE has created department-specific X handles to facilitate public reporting. Posts found on X indicate the following DOGE-affiliated handles for reporting, though this list may not be exhaustive:

How to Report on X: If you have information or evidence of fraud, waste, or abuse, you can send a direct message (DM) or tag the relevant DOGE handle on X. For example, report issues related to the Department of Agriculture to

@DOGE_USDA or Social Security issues to

@DOGE_SSA. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and accountability in government spending.

Key Considerations

  • Official Websites vs. X: While X is now an official platform, traditional websites like GAO FraudNet and OIG hotlines remain critical for detailed submissions, especially if anonymity or confidentiality is needed. X is better suited for quick, public-facing reports.
  • Whistleblower Protections: Federal and state laws often protect whistleblowers from retaliation. Some platforms, including certain OIGs, allow anonymous reporting to safeguard identities.
  • Limitations: Not all submissions lead to investigations due to volume or lack of specificity. Providing detailed, actionable information increases the likelihood of action, whether on X or through official websites.