Resources
- Statutes and Regulations
- Reports and Other Information
- Other Whistleblower Programs
- How the SEC Investigates Cases
- Investor Resources
Statutes and Regulations
The Whistleblower Program was created by Congress on July 21, 2010 in Section 922 of the Dodd-Frank Act.
The SEC implemented the program by issuing Final Rules on May 25, 2011. These Final Rules were effective as of August 12, 2011.
On June 28, 2018, the SEC voted to propose several amendments to the rules governing the whistleblower program. The proposed amendments were published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2018 and were open for public comment thru September 18, 2018.
On September 23, 2020, the SEC adopted amendments to the rules governing its whistleblower program that are designed to provide greater clarity to whistleblowers and increase the program’s efficiency and transparency. Concurrently, to provide additional efficiencies, as well as clarity and transparency in the award determination process, the OWB published guidance regarding the process for determining award amounts for eligible whistleblowers. The effective date is December 7, 2020.
Most recently on August 26, 2022, the SEC adopted two amendments to the rules governing its whistleblower program. The first rule change allows the Commission to pay whistleblowers for their information and assistance in connection with non-SEC actions in additional circumstances. The second rule affirms the Commission’s authority to consider the dollar amount of a potential award for the limited purpose of increasing an award but not to lower an award. The rule amendments are effective as of October 3, 2022.
Reports and Other Information
- OWB Guidance for Whistleblower Award Determinations
- OWB Annual Reports to Congress
- OWB Approach to Processing Whistleblower Award Claims
- January 2013 Office of Inspector General Evaluation of the SEC’s Whistleblower Program
Other Whistleblower Programs
If you have information about violations related to commodities, futures, or similar products, including all violations of the Commodity Exchange Act, please refer to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s whistleblower program.
If your information also implicates United States tax laws, you may want to learn more about the IRS Whistleblower Program.
The Department of Justice enforces the False Claims Act, another major whistleblower law.
How the SEC Investigates Cases
If you would like guidance on considerations the SEC uses when analyzing allegations of fraud and determining which cases to pursue, please see the SEC’s Enforcement Manual.
Investor Resources
If you are a harmed investor in need of assistance please visit the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy’s Resources for Victims of Securities Law Violations webpage on Investor.gov.