Reporting Fraud, Waste, and Abuse

A crucial element of internal control is a mechanism for preventing and detecting fraud, waste, or abuse of county funds or resources.

What To Report

• Fraud related to County funds or resources
• Employee or contractor misconduct
• Conflicts of interest involving employees or contractors
• Falsification of contract or grant documentation
• Abuse, misuse, or theft of County property or equipment
• Mismanagement of County funds
• Violations of County policies and procedures
• Concerns related to Collier County guardianship cases

What Not to Report

• General personnel or employee relations issues
• Fraud, waste or abuse of non-County resources or private matters
• Issues of extreme urgency, such as threats of violence or harassment
• Matters unrelated to County operations or activities

How to Report

The Clerk’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) offers different methods of reporting.

• Call our Hotline 24/7 at 1-844-253-7544 (844-ClerkIG)
  • Our Hotline offers English and Spanish services
• Call our office directly at 239-252-8412
• Report online through our independent provider (Syntrio)
• Email our office directly at OIG@collierclerk.com
• Report in person to our office located on the 3^rd floor of the Collier County Courthouse (Annex), Suite 316
• Report by mail via the US Postal Service:

Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller

ATTN: Office of Inspector General

3315 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 102

Naples, FL 34112

Anonymity

Please note, the OIG accepts anonymous complaints. Complainants who request anonymity should understand filing as such may hinder the OIG’s ability to thoroughly pursue their complaint.

Confidentiality

It may be necessary for the OIG to reveal a confidential complainant’s identity if such identification is necessary to investigate the alleged complaint, or as otherwise required by law.

Whistleblower Protection

In accordance with Section 112.3187, Florida Statutes, known as the Whistle-blower Act, Clerk and County employees, to include employees of contractors who do business with the County or Clerk, who report allegations of fraud, waste and abuse are protected against employer retaliation. For more information on Whistle-blower determination, visit Statutes & Constitution : View Statutes : Online Sunshine.

Other Resources

To file a complaint related to regulated businesses and licensed professionals involving misconduct, violations of law or unlicensed activity by regulated individuals and entities.

• Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulations
  • https://www.myfloridalicense.com/datamart/complaintDBPR.do?applicationId=1

To look up business licenses or make a complaint against a regulated or non-regulated business.

• Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
  • File a Complaint / Contact Us / Home – Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

To file a complaint related to financial scams, identity theft, consumer and E-commerce scams or cybercrime and internet fraud.

• Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Home Page – Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

• Federal Trade Commission
  • https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
  • https://www.identitytheft.gov/
  • https://www.donotcall.gov/

To report illegal activity, contact your local law enforcement. For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.

• Collier County Sheriff’s Office
  • colliersheriff.org

• Naples Police Department
  • naplesgov.com/police

• Marco Island Police Department
  • cityofmarcoisland.com/police

To locate state or federal Offices of Inspectors General.

• Florida Office of Inspectors General
  • https://www.floridaoig.com/contact.htm

• Federal Office of Inspectors General
  • https://www.ignet.gov/content/inspectors-general-directory