Audit Division - Report Fraud, Waste, and/or Abuse

City of Houston Hotline

The Office of the City Controller has established a confidential reporting tool to provide City of Houston employees, contractors, and community members with a method for reporting suspected fraud, waste, or abuse in City government.

The hotline is designated for reports of possible violations of the City of Houston’s Code of Ethics, policies and procedures, or standards by City officials, City employees, Departments of the City or vendors doing business with the City. If your concern does not involve City employees, City Departments or vendors doing business with the City please consider contacting local law enforcement or another appropriate entity.

The hotline is not a substitute for the City’s established processes for addressing employment-related issues, such as discrimination, harassment, or personnel matters.

Report Fraud

How to Report Fraud Waste or Abuse

Call the Controller's Office Hotline -- 832.393.3542, or Complete the Fraud Waste or Abuse Report (at bottom of this page)

Term	Definition	Examples
*Fraud*	Any intentional act or omission designed to deceive others, resulting in the government of the City of Houston suffering a loss and/or the perpetrator achieving a gain.	Falsifying financial records to conceal the theft of resources or City property. Theft or misuse of City of Houston money, time, equipment, supplies and/or other materials. Submitting invoices for fictitious goods or services. Soliciting or accepting a bribe or kickback. Falsifying payroll information.
*Waste*	The intentional or unintentional, thoughtless, or careless expenditure, consumption, mismanagement, use, or squandering of City of Houston governmental resources. This would include incurring unnecessary costs because of inefficient or ineffective practices, systems, or controls.	Purchasing supplies, goods, or services at inflated prices. Making unnecessary purchases. Failure to reuse or recycle major resources. Failure to reduce waste generation.
*Abuse*	Intentional destruction, diversion, manipulation, misapplication, or misuse of City government resources. Extravagant or excessive use as to abuse one’s position or authority.	Receiving personal gain for awarding contracts to certain vendors Creating unneeded overtime. Requesting staff to perform personal errands or work tasks for a supervisor or manager. Misusing the official’s position for personal gain. Travel choices contrary to existing travel policies or are unnecessarily extravagant or expensive. Procurement or vendor selections contrary to existing policies or are unnecessarily extravagant or expensive.