Albemarle County, VA
Home MenuFraud, Waste & Abuse Reporting System
Albemarle County’s mission is to enhance the well-being and quality of life for all community members through the provision of the highest level of public service consistent with the prudent use of public funds.
Albemarle County’s Fraud, Waste, and Abuse reporting system enables employees and members of the community the ability to anonymously report concerns of fraud, waste, or abuse within any County departments and Schools. It is a best practice for organizations to have such a reporting system so employees and the public can communicate their concerns about imprudent use of public funds.
Instructional video
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Fraud, Waste & Abuse Reporting System?
An online reporting system for employees and the members of the public to confidentially report concerns about employee-involved fraud, waste, and abuse.
Why is it important to have a Fraud, Waste & Abuse Reporting System?
Code of Virginia, §15.2-2511.2, permits localities to have a fraud, waste, and abuse reporting system that provides an anonymous reporting opportunity for employees and the general public.
An effective reporting system helps foster a culture of integrity and ethical decision-making.
What are considered suspicious activities?
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Abuse of County time |
Embezzlement |
Misappropriation of funds |
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Improper use of a P-Card and County/Schools vehicles/equipment |
Unauthorized spending |
Favoritism in contract awards |
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Abuse of power |
Coercion |
Insurance fraud |
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Workers' compensation fraud |
Theft of County/Schools funds or other county assets |
Falsification of records |
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Abuse of benefits |
Inefficient operations |
Violations of county procurement policy or contract fraud |
Examples of fraud, waste, and abuse:
• Personal use of County/School-owned vehicles
• Personal use of County/School telephones, including long distance personal calls
• Personal use of County/School-owned supplies or equipment
• Excessive or unnecessary purchases
• Falsification of official documents (timesheets, leave reports, travel vouchers, benefit forms, etc.)
• Contract fraud
• Conducting personal business on County/School time
• Inappropriate expenditures
What are the definitions of: Fraud, Waste, Abuse, Illegal Acts, and Conflicts of Interest?
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Fraud: An illegal act involving the obtaining of something of value from the County/School through willful misrepresentation
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Waste: Mismanagement or inadequate oversight of county property, resources or funds, including incurring unnecessary costs because of inefficient or ineffective practices, systems, or controls
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Abuse: Intentional destruction, diversion, or misuse of County/School property or resources, including the misuse of County/School authority or position for personal gain
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Illegal Acts: Violations of laws or government regulations by a County/School employee in connection with their position
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Conflicts of Interest: Personal interests that conflict with the official duties of a County/School employee, resulting in a real or perceived conflict of interest
Can I submit my complaint by phone?
Yes, you can leave a message on the Fraud, Waste & Abuse telephone line at 434-243-7944 and your call will be returned during business hours. These reports will not be anonymous due to the nature of our telephone system.
How do I report a suspicious activity?
Go to the web platform and create a username and password which does not include your name-if you wish to remain anonymous. Record the username and password for the future so you can sign back in and check the status of your report.
Enter the location where the incident took place, who was involved (if you know), and any details or evidence you may have.
See User Guide.
Where do these reports go?
Reports are entered directly on the Ethical Advocate secure server and can only be viewed by the Risk Management Office and the Department of Finance & Budget.
What if I want to be identified with my report?
You can choose to include your name and contact information with your report.
What is Ethical Advocate?
A third-party software system utilized for the online platform used to receive reports of suspicious behavior.
What happens after a report is entered into the online system?
The anonymous report is routed to the Office of Risk Management and then to an investigator who will investigate the claim and make a determination. If the claim is substantiated, Risk Management will work with the appropriate department to process a corrective action.
The complainant can log into the Ethical Advocate system to check the status of their report.
Is it really anonymous?
Yes. While the reporter must create a username and password to file a complaint, they are not required to use their name or email address. Their identity can remain anonymous. Even the third-party company that manages the online platform, Ethical Advocate, is not given the reporter’s identity or IP address.
What if I have a problem with my County/School services?
Albemarle County operates under the Pillars of High Performance. Should a member of the community have concerns with County or School services, we encourage them to contact that department or school directly to ensure a resolution.
Who do I contact if I have been defrauded?
If you are victim of fraud, contact Albemarle County Police Department at 434-296-5807 to file a report.
Who operates the County Fraud, Waste & Abuse Reporting System?
Risk Management, within the Albemarle County Department of Finance & Budget, administers the reporting system and conducts investigations as required. An annual report and performance data is shared with the County Executive and the Board of Supervisors’ Audit Committee.