The SEC's whistleblower program was established by Congress to incentivize whistleblowers to report specific, timely and credible information about possible federal securities laws violations.
The Commission is authorized to provide monetary awards to eligible individuals who come forward with high-quality original information that leads to an SEC enforcement action in which over $1 million in sanctions is ordered. The range for awards is between 10% and 30% of the money collected.
Review the guidance for whistleblower award determinations, read the FY23 annual report to Congress, and learn more about how to submit a tip as a whistleblower.
Whistleblower Office Hotline
202-551-4790
Claim an Award
Notices of Covered Action are posted here. Once a Notice of Covered Action is posted, whistleblowers have 90 calendar days to apply for an award if they voluntarily provided the SEC with original information in that case.
Orders Determining Whistleblower Award Claims
The Commission issues orders granting or denying whistleblower claims for an award based on whether they provided original information that led to a successful enforcement action.
Whistleblower Protections
Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the SEC implemented rules that enabled the agency to take legal action against employers who have retaliated against whistleblowers.
Additional Resources
The Whistleblower Program's statutes and regulations as well as other information a potential whistleblower may need to know.
Whistleblower Award Process
Follow the path of how a whistleblower tip with specific, timely, and credible information can result in a whistleblower award payment.
Top 10 Whistleblower Awards
As of the end of fiscal year 2023, a total of almost $2 billion had been awarded to nearly 400 whistleblowers through the SEC's whistleblower award program.
Here are the 10 largest awards issued to date...
By Award Amount
Listed by amount of each award issued:
- $279 million - May 5, 2023
- $114 million - October 22, 2020
- $110 million - September 15, 2021
- $50 million - April 15, 2021
- $50 million - March 19, 2018
- $50 million - June 4, 2020
- $39 million - September 6, 2018
- $37 million - December 19, 2022
- $37 million - March 26, 2019
- $36 million - September 24, 2021
By Covered Action
Listed by total amount awarded under each covered action:
- $279 million - May 5, 2023
- $114 million - October 22, 2020
- $114 million - September 15, 2021
- $104 million - August 4, 2023
- $83 million - March 19, 2018
- $54 million - September 6, 2018
- $50 million - April 15, 2021
- $50 million - March 26, 2019
- $50 million - June 4, 2020
- $40 million - October 15, 2021
Last Reviewed or Updated: June 28, 2024