Fraud Hotline & Reporting
Washoe County is committed to conducting business with high ethical standards and in compliance with the law, code, and regulations.
If you see a County official or employee engaging in any activity you consider to be illegal, improper, wasteful, or fraudulent, please report this activity anonymously:
- Dial: 311 or (775) 328-2003
- Email: washoe311@washoecounty.gov
- Contact the internal audit division directly
- Complete the online reporting form
Fraud: Defined as the wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain. Fraud includes false representation of fact, making false statements, or by concealment of information.
Waste: Defined as the thoughtless or careless expenditure, mismanagement, or abuse of resources to the detriment (or potential detriment) of the local government. Waste also includes incurring unnecessary costs resulting from inefficient or ineffective practices, systems, or controls.
Abuse: Defined as excessive or improper use of a thing, or to use something in a manner contrary to the natural or legal rules for its use. Abuse can occur in financial or non-financial.
What We Investigate
Illegal, improper, wasteful, or fraudulent actions by Washoe County employees or officials such as:
- Fraud
- Theft
- Collusion
- Embezzlement
- Unsafe workplace
- Falsified information
- Ineffective processes
- Conflicts of interest
- Kickbacks or bribes
- Questionable accounting
- Violating policy or procedure
- Unethical business practices
- Abuse of County equipment or property
- Misuse of County equipment, property, programs, or work time for personal gain
- Gross misconduct of County officials or employees resulting in significant financial effects
- Consistent, wasteful conduct by County officials or employees with financial implications
What We Do Not Investigate
- Improper activities by private citizens or private businesses
- Allegations or complaints without sufficient factual basis
- Emergencies (please call 911)
Report Management
All Washoe 311 fraud hotline submissions, phone calls, and online submissions are reviewed by the Washoe County Internal Audit division and will be investigated by that department. Depending on the nature of the issue, the report may be referred to another department or consulted with an external expert.
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