Q: OKDHS has many offices. What does an Inspector General do?
A: The Inspector General looks out for the taxpayer. We investigate reported fraud in programs like SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid, and we look into internal employee misconduct. The Inspector General also audits OKDHS programs, processes and contractors (including child care providers) to make sure they comply with state and federal regulations.
Q: How do I report suspected fraud?
A: There are six easy ways you can report fraud:
- Go to www.OKDHS.org. Find the OIG homepage under Divisions and Offices, and then click “report client fraud or employee misconduct.”
- Call 1-800-784-5887 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. to report fraud by phone;
- Fax us a fraud report anytime at (405) 522-4642;
- Mail a report via USPS to: OKDHS Office of Inspector General, 2401 NW 23rd St., Ste. 1C, Oklahoma City, OK 73107-2407;
- Call (405) 522-5880 to make an appointment to report fraud in person; or
- OKDHS employees should look for the OIG homepage on the InfoNet. Click
“report client fraud or employee misconduct” or send a report via inter-agency mail.
Q: What if the situation I want to report isn’t really fraud?
A: If you believe the situation you want to report might be fraud, we want you to report it. Many fraud reports are made with the best intentions, but upon review, the circumstances do not turn out to be fraud. That happens because program rules can be complex. That’s why fraud reports are reviewed by policy experts before decisions are made to assign them for criminal investigation. Only those reports that actually provide the investigators reasonable suspicion of fraud are assigned to OIG Fraud Units.
Q: Can I make an anonymous report?
A: Yes, it is possible to make an anonymous fraud report. However, anonymous reports are not usually as reliable as those made when the reporting party is known. That is partly because the anonymous party may not provide sufficient detail to allow OIG to determine the reasonable suspicion required to justify a fraud investigation.
Also, proving fraud occasionally relies on testimony of the complaining witness. However, if you truly want to remain anonymous, call 1-800-784-5887 and simply don’t give your name. You can also mail an anonymous letter to OKDHS Office of Inspector General, 2401 NW 23rd St., Ste. 1C, Oklahoma City, OK 73107-2407.
Q: Will you keep me informed on the progress and results of the investigation?
A: Unfortunately, we cannot. Our responsibility to keep client information confidential generally prohibits us from discussing details of client cases with others. Also, the number of fraud cases under investigation at any time makes it impractical to keep the reporting parties informed of the progress and/or results of an investigation.
