What Does Being a Whistleblower Mean?

Being a whistleblower means reporting wrongdoing like abuse, fraud, or corruption to an agency or person who can do something to address and fix the issue. In many cases, whistleblowers report wrongdoing as “insiders” to the organization committing wrongful acts, but you can report from outside the organization. 

You can learn more about what being a whistleblower means with a Columbia whistleblower lawyer. An attorney can support you throughout the whistleblowing process and provide information about the steps you need to take if you suspect you have discovered improper conduct. 

What Does it Mean to Be a Whistleblower?

Individuals act as whistleblowers when they provide information about an organization’s wrongful actions to a party that can do something to handle the wrongdoing. Whistleblowers may choose to report:

• Abuse
• Fraud
• Organizational waste 
• Dangers to public safety and health
• Corruption

Sounding the alarm of fraudulent or unlawful workplace practices can be a daunting task. Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone. A trusted attorney can explain what it means to be a whistleblower and assist you in exposing illegal practices. 

Do Whistleblowers Have to Work for the Company Engaging in Wrongdoing?

Working for a company or organization that engages in wrongful behavior is not a requirement for whistleblowing. If you find information that indicates that an agency or business has committed fraud or another form of abuse, you can report them regardless of your employment status. 

Types of Fraud a Whistleblower Can Uncover With a Lawyer’s Help

There are several different types of fraud that you can expose with the help of an experienced attorney. Once your lawyer has explained what it means to be a whistleblower, they can guide you through the steps and paperwork required to put an end to any of the following forms of fraud:

Healthcare Fraud

Healthcare fraud can involve a wide range of misconduct, from billing Medicare or Medicaid for services never provided to falsifying patient diagnoses or accepting illegal kickbacks for referrals. If you’ve witnessed your employer engaging in practices that defraud government healthcare programs or put patients at risk, you have the right to speak up. 

Government Fraud

Fraud against federal and state government agencies can take many forms. Some common forms of government fraud include overbilling on government contracts and submitting false data in grant applications.

If you’ve discovered unethical or illegal behavior within a government agency or a contractor working with one, a lawyer can help you bring it to light. Your attorney can explain what being a whistleblower means, walk you through the process, and ensure your report is taken seriously.

IRS Fraud

IRS fraud often involves evading federal taxes by underreporting income, inflating deductions, or concealing offshore assets. Businesses and individuals that engage in large-scale tax evasion can be held accountable with the help of whistleblowers like yourself. In some cases, you may be entitled to a financial reward for your efforts. 

PPP Fraud

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was designed to support small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. Unfortunately, some companies took advantage of the PPP by inflating payroll records, misrepresenting eligibility, and spending funds on unauthorized expenses. 

If your employer lied on a PPP loan application or misused funds, you can take legal action. A dedicated lawyer can help you safely report wrongdoing and defend your rights.

COVID-19 Fraud

COVID-19 relief programs such as unemployment assistance, healthcare funding, and small business loans provided important support during the pandemic. Unfortunately, some companies exploited these resources by submitting false claims, falsifying records, and hoarding supplies. 

If you’ve witnessed your employer engaging in COVID-19-related fraud, an attorney can help you report these actions and provide the advice you need to understand what it means to be a whistleblower.

How an Attorney Can Help You Expose Fraud

Hiring an experienced and trustworthy lawyer is important if you want to expose fraud at your workplace while safeguarding your career. Here’s what a dedicated whistleblower attorney can do to help you bring offending parties to justice:

• Explain what being a whistleblower means
• Navigate complicated legal statutes on your behalf, making the process as smooth as possible for you
• Help you complete paperwork and forms
• Work tirelessly to expose the fraud you’ve observed
• Protect your rights throughout the process
• Advise you on potential monetary rewards

Speak to a Trusted Whistleblower Lawyer for Free

What does being a whistleblower mean? You become a whistleblower when you report some kind of wrongdoing or fraud to an appropriate regulatory agency. You do not have to go through the whistleblowing process alone. Instead, you can turn to our team at Keilty Bonadio for help.

Our team has over 50 years of combined experience that we can draw on to support you. Led by Nick Bonadio and TJ Keilty, our award-winning team has what it takes to expose fraud, protect you from retaliation, and explore awards you may be entitled to receive.