As we near the expected influx of applications around the holidays, it is critical to acknowledge the continued threat of fraud through application, enrollment, and financial aid processes. The responsibility of preventing and identifying fraud is the work of every system stakeholder – the Chancellor’s Office, the California Community Colleges Technology Center (Tech Center), districts, colleges, and relevant local departments. Preventing fraud without setting up additional barriers for real students requires a student-centered approach that engages the entire community.
In our commitment to identify, reduce, and prevent fraud systemwide, we encourage campuses and stakeholders to utilize resources available, such as the 2020 “Fraud in Postsecondary Distance Education Programs Reporting Change” to learn how to report fraud rings to the Department of Education, Office of Inspector General (OIG).
Steps to report fraud using OIG hotline portal at oighotlineportal.ed.gov are as follows:
- Once in the portal, select the option for fraud reporting.
- Fill in the spaces for your contact information. Note: your social security number is NOT required when filing a fraud ring complaint.
- On the Alleged Violator page: select Individual Information and fill in the spaces with the suspected fraud ring leader’s information. If you do not have a suspected fraud ring leader, choose one subject and fill in their information.
- In the space provided on the Allegations page, fill in a brief summary of the allegations and any suspicious activity.
- Attach the Fraud Ring Reporting Spreadsheet and submit the complaint.
