You do not have to report internally to be eligible for a whistleblower award, and you may submit your information directly to the Commission at any time.

If you choose to report internally first, your information will be deemed to be submitted to the Commission on the date you reported it internally if you also report it to the Commission within 180 days of that date. Under these circumstances, the Commission will consider your place in line for determining whether your information is "original information" to be the date you reported it internally. In addition, if your company conducts an investigation and reports the results to the Commission, you may benefit from the information that the company's investigation reveals when the Commission considers whether you should receive an award and what percentage you should receive. Rule 165.2(i)(3)

Also, the fact that you reported your information internally, and the extent to which you helped your company uncover a violation, will be considered as factors that may increase the size of any award that you are eligible to receive. Rule 165.9(b)(4)

Please refer to the Things To Know section of this site for more information.