Fraud Hotline and Policy Aims to Protect City

Fraud is a deliberate act to obtain property, money, security or any service from the City by means of deceit or falsehood.
 
The City’s Fraud Hotline and Policy is intended to safeguard the City’s assets, funds and information from fraudulent activity.
 
Fraud can include the following:
• a number of deliberate acts, from falsifying records or documents to unauthorized use of City resources
• failing to declare a conflict of interest
• theft or misappropriation of City funds or property
• collusion with vendors

The Fraud Policy allows any member of the public or City employee to allege fraud if they have reasonable grounds to believe it has occurred.
 
Residents are reminded that the City is only able to act if the fraudulent activity is related to municipal resources, property, or services. If you need to report theft of personal items, scams, or income support allegations, please contact the appropriate authority such as the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary or the Provincial Government.
 
All allegations received, related to City assets, funds and information, will be investigated using best practice approaches. However, the allegation must contain sufficient detailed information (e.g., name of perpetrator(s), time(s) and location(s) of event, City assets involved, etc.) to act upon. The City informs the public annually about investigations that have occurred, but confidentiality is key when investigating fraud.
 
“There are publicly available reports to the audit committee once a year that will briefly summarize the results of any investigations and any action taken by the City,” explains Sean Janes, the City’s Internal Auditor, who is responsible for receiving allegations of fraud and for leading any investigations that arise. “Any communication of fraud investigations must comply with the City’s obligation to protect the privacy of its employees and to comply with all provisions of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Therefore, the names of individuals alleging fraud and the names of individuals alleged to have committed fraud will be kept strictly confidential to the greatest extent possible.”
 
If you believe you have information about fraudulent activity at the City of St. John’s, please report it.
Call the Fraud Line 576-6978
Email: reportfraud@stjohns.ca
 
Mail your information to:
Office of the City Internal Auditor – Fraud Hotline P.O. Box 908 St. John’s, NL A1C 5M2