Can a Whistleblower Remain Anonymous?

Several federal whistleblower programs expressly authorize whistleblowers to proceed anonymously throughout the entire process, from filing their claims to receiving their whistleblower reward. These include the whistleblower programs run by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

False Claims Act: Confidentiality, Not Absolute Anonymity

Whistleblowers under the False Claims Act (FCA), which is used addresses fraud against the government, enjoy initial protections for their anonymity. FCA lawsuits, also known as qui tam actions, are filed “under seal,” meaning the whistleblower’s identity and the details of the case are kept confidential during the government’s investigation, typically for at least 60 days. In many cases, this seal period is extended for several months or even years as the government thoroughly investigates the claims.

However, once the government decides whether to intervene in the case, the complaint is often unsealed, and the whistleblower’s identity may become public. In some instances, a whistleblower can petition the court to keep the case under seal, especially if there are concerns about personal safety or severe retaliation. Additionally, some whistleblowers choose to file their claims through an organization or business entity rather than in their own names, which can provide an extra layer of anonymity for a period of time. Nevertheless, permanent anonymity in False Claims Act cases is rare.

SEC and CFTC Whistleblower Protections

The Dodd-Frank Act provides significant protections for whistleblowers who report securities fraud  to the SEC or commodities law violations to the CFTC. Under these programs, whistleblowers may file claims anonymously, provided they are represented by an attorney. The attorney acts as an intermediary, submitting information on the whistleblower’s behalf, which helps shield the whistleblower’s identity during the initial stages of the investigation. If the whistleblower qualifies for an award, they can still receive it without ever disclosing their identity to the public or the company involved.

These programs offer strong confidentiality provisions. The SEC and CFTC are legally obligated to protect information that could reveal a whistleblower’s identity unless disclosure is required as part of a court proceeding. Even then, regulatory agencies strive to limit exposure whenever possible. This confidentiality framework has been highly effective in protecting whistleblowers, as evidenced by the SEC’s long track record of issuing sanctions against companies that attempt to identify whistleblowers.

IRS Whistleblower Program

While the IRS whistleblower program does not allow anonymous filings, it does offer robust confidentiality protections. The IRS is required to fully protect the whistleblower’s identity by law. Although a whistleblower’s identity may become known during the course of an investigation, it is typically kept confidential throughout the process. For those reporting tax fraud or other violations under IRS jurisdiction, this program has earned a solid reputation for maintaining whistleblower confidentiality.