| Reward | 10–30% of sanctions |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Federal — applies nationwide |
| Administered by | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Office of the Whistleblower |
| Legal authority | 15 U.S.C. § 78u-6 (Exchange Act § 21F); 17 C.F.R. § 240.21F |
| Fraud covered | Securities & investment |
| Eligibility / shares | Enforcement action must result in more than $1,000,000 in monetary sanctions. |
| Anonymous filing | Yes — Anonymous filing allowed, but only if represented by an attorney (Rule 21F-9). Identity verified before payout. |
| Attorney | Optional. Not required to file; required only for anonymous submissions. |
| Status | Active (verified July 2026). |
Key takeaways
- Whistleblowers can receive 10–30% of sanctions.
- Administered by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Office of the Whistleblower.
- You can file anonymously — but only through an attorney.
- No attorney needed to file — but filing anonymously requires one.
- Enforcement action must result in more than $1,000,000 in monetary sanctions.
How to report and claim your reward
- Submit Form TCR online through the SEC's Tips, Complaints and Referrals (TCR) portal
- To claim an award, file Form WB-APP within 90 days of a posted Notice of Covered Action
Track record
More than $2 billion awarded to 444 whistleblowers since 2011. Largest single award ever: $279 million (2023). A $50 million award was issued in April 2026.
Good to know
Covers securities-law violations including crypto assets that qualify as securities and FCPA violations by issuers. Awards paid from a dedicated Investor Protection Fund — not from victims.
Anonymity: Anonymous filing allowed, but only if represented by an attorney (Rule 21F-9). Identity verified before payout.
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 required to file; required only for anonymous submissions.
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.