US President Donald Trump has announced a new whistleblower incentive programme encouraging Americans to report suspected fraud involving government funds, offering eligible informants financial rewards for information that leads to successful enforcement action.
The Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program, known as WHIP, allows members of the public to submit tips through Fraud.gov. The initiative has an initial funding allocation of $25 million and will be administered by the US Department of Justice.
According to the White House, individuals whose information leads to a fraud conviction or significant federal enforcement action could receive up to $30,000.
Announcing the initiative, Trump encouraged Americans to report corruption and the theft of taxpayer money in their communities. He illustrated the potential rewards by suggesting that someone who helped uncover $1 billion in fraud could receive a 1 per cent commission.
However, the administration’s published programme terms specify a maximum reward of $30,000, rather than an automatic 1 per cent payment on recovered funds.
The initiative forms part of the Trump administration’s wider effort to investigate suspected fraud involving federal programmes and public money. Vice President JD Vance has been leading the administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
The programme is intended to encourage members of the public to provide information that authorities might otherwise struggle to obtain. Its effectiveness will depend on the quality of tips received, the investigations they support and the enforcement actions that follow.
The announcement adds financial incentives to the administration’s broader anti-fraud campaign, which has focused on identifying misuse of taxpayer funds and strengthening accountability across federal programmes.