Portland Launches New Fraud Tip-Line

City Auditor LaVonne Griffin-Valade launched her Fraud Alert tip-line today for reporting " suspected fraud, waste or misuse of City resources, and abuse of position to a 24/7, centralized tip line. "The Fraud Alert line is one more mechanism for enhancing accountability to the public," Griffin-Valade said in a statement.
Portland traditionally ranks low in annual studies of civic fraud, but, the auditor says, "Portland is not immune."
Fraud Alert reports can be made online or by telephone to a secure call center and server managed by EthicsPoint. The EthicsPoint system also allows callers to report anonymously, if they choose. The Office of the Ombudsman, a division of the Auditor's Office, will oversee the handling of Fraud Alert reports.
In September 2009, the Auditor released an audit, "Fraud Reporting: Clarification of process and training needed" which identified improvements needed in the City's fraud reporting process.
Reports to the Auditor's Fraud Alert line may be made online at www.portlandfraudalert.com  or by calling 1-866-342-4148.