| Reward | 5–30% tiered |
|---|---|
| Cap | $1,600,000 |
| Jurisdiction | Federal — applies nationwide |
| Administered by | U.S. Department of Justice |
| Legal authority | 12 U.S.C. § 1833a; 12 U.S.C. §§ 4201–4213 |
| Fraud covered | Banking, AML & sanctions |
| Eligibility / shares | Tiers: 20–30% of first $1M recovered; 10–20% of next $4M; 5–10% of next $5M. Max award $850K–$1.6M when recovery ≥ $10M. |
| Anonymous filing | No — Declaration filed under seal and kept confidential during investigation; identity known to DOJ. |
| Attorney | Optional. Not legally required, but declarations follow a formal statutory format — counsel strongly advised. |
| Status | Active but rarely used; useful where the FCA doesn't apply (fraud ON banks rather than on the government). |
Key takeaways
- Whistleblowers can receive 5–30% tiered (capped at $1,600,000).
- Administered by U.S. Department of Justice.
- Declaration filed under seal and kept confidential during investigation; identity known to DOJ.
- You can file this one yourself — no attorney required.
- Tiers: 20–30% of first $1M recovered; 10–20% of next $4M; 5–10% of next $5M. Max award $850K–$1.6M when recovery ≥ $10M.
How to report and claim your reward
- File a sworn declaration with the U.S. Attorney General per 12 U.S.C. § 4202 describing fraud affecting a federally insured financial institution
- DOJ investigates under seal
Track record
Covers 14 predicate offenses including bank fraud and wire/mail fraud affecting insured institutions. 10-year statute of limitations is its key advantage.
Good to know
Reform advocates continue pushing to lift the $1.6M cap.
Anonymity: Declaration filed under seal and kept confidential during investigation; identity known to DOJ.
Been a victim of this kind of fraud? This page is for whistleblowers reporting fraud they've witnessed. If you lost money to a scam yourself, start with our fraud victim recovery guides — how to report it, try to get your money back, and protect your identity.
Should you talk to a whistleblower attorney first?
Not strictly required here — not legally required, but declarations follow a formal statutory format — counsel strongly advised.
Statistically, represented whistleblowers recover awards far more often than unrepresented ones, and reporting through the wrong channel — or second — can forfeit your reward entirely. Because whistleblower attorneys work on contingency, a consultation costs nothing.
Last verified: July 4, 2026 against official government sources. Program rules change — always confirm on the official site before filing.