To encourage the early reporting of fraud, waste, and abuse, the Norfolk City Council authorized the Office of City Auditor to implement and operate the City of Norfolk Fraud Hotline.  The Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline may be accessed by calling 757-664-4003 or through a confidential Fraud Hotline Form.

All calls are confidential. However, city employees calling from a city telephone need to dial a 9 before the number (664-4003) to remain anonymous.

“Fraud" means the intentional deception perpetrated by an individual or individuals, or an organization or organizations, either internal or external to local government, that could result in a tangible or intangible benefit to themselves, others, or the locality or could cause detriment to others or the locality. Fraud includes a false representation of a matter of fact, whether by words or by conduct, by false or misleading statements, or by concealment of that which should have been disclosed, which deceives and is intended to deceive.

“Abuse" means the excessive or improper use of something, or the employment of something in a manner contrary to the natural or legal rules for its use; the intentional destruction, diversion, manipulation, misapplication, maltreatment, or misuse of resources owned or operated by the locality; or extravagant or excessive use so as to abuse one's position or authority.

"Waste" means the intentional or unintentional, thoughtless or careless expenditure, consumption, mismanagement, use, or squandering of resources owned or operated by the locality to the detriment or potential detriment of the locality. Waste also includes incurring unnecessary costs because of inefficient or ineffective practices, systems, or controls.

Reportable incidents include, but are not limited to:

• Theft or misappropriation of City resources
• Falsification of official documents or reports
• Corruption or official misconduct, including misuse of City information, conflicts of interest, or offering or accepting bribes
• Personal use of City-owned vehicles, equipment or supplies
• Conducting personal business on City time
• Improper use or spending of City tax dollars
• Violations of City procurement policy or contract fraud
• Tampering with government records
• Annual leave or overtime abuse
• City leased or owned equipment, supplies, and/or property has been used for personal gain or in an unauthorized manner
• City monies and/or funds are improperly used
• City services/products are disbursed without proper payment
• City policies/procedures are manipulated for personal gain

The Office of the City Auditor does not investigate routine personnel issues such as employee grievances or complaints relating to civil rights, sexual harassment and equal employment.

If you have information related to suspected fraud, waste or abuse regarding City of Norfolk operations, please report it to the Office of the City Auditor immediately.  You may contact us in a number of ways, depending on what is convenient for you.  Please be as specific as possible when describing the situation.  Communication with us is confidential.

In person:

The Office of the City Auditor is located in Room 806, City Hall Building.  Our office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

By phone:

Call the Fraud Hotline at 757-664-4003 which may be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including holidays and weekends.  Callers will remain anonymous.  Caller ID and call back features have been disabled to maintain confidentiality.

By mail:

Prepare a written description of the situation you wish to report and mail it to: City Auditor, City of Norfolk, 810 Union Street, Room 806, City Hall Building, Norfolk, Virginia 23510-2735. Please be as specific as possible.

By fax:

Prepare a written description of the situation you wish to report and fax it to 757-441-2922.  Please be as specific as possible.  Sending personal information by fax and/or email is not a confidential or secure means of communication.  If you wish to remain anonymous, we recommend you submit your allegation through regular mail or utilize our confidential Fraud Hotline Form.

By email:

Prepare a written description of the situation you wish to report and email it to fraudhotline@norfolk.gov.  Sending personal information by fax and/or email is not a confidential or secure means of communication.

By web:

Fraud Hotline Form