Fraud Hotline FAQs

No, you may choose to remain anonymous and not fill out the contact information. If you choose to remain anonymous, please provide as much detail as possible so that we can determine the appropriate course of action to be taken.

If you fill out the contact information, a member of the Auditor's Office may contact you to discuss your complaint or to request additional information.

A reasonable cause to believe exists when a set of facts would lead a reasonable and prudent person to believe that an offense may have been committed.

Please include the following information, if available:

Complainant contact information:
- Home phone, daytime phone, and/or cell phone.
- Physical address and/or email address.
Date the incident occurred.
Date the incident was discovered.
The estimated amount of loss.
Information regarding person(s) involved in the incident

Name(s), job title(s).

Description of the incident, with as much detail as possible.

The Auditor's Office reviews complaints based on the information that is provided.

In some cases, a member of the Auditor's Office may contact you to discuss your complaint or to request additional information.
In some cases, a complaint may be referred to another agency for its assessment and possible action if deemed appropriate.

Yes. An employee and/or a contractor who works for the County and becomes aware of a situation that involves suspicious activities or fraudulent acts may report the allegations to the Auditor's Office by using the online Fraud Hotline form or by submitting their report by mail.

Concerned citizens, legislators, law enforcement agencies, and others are encouraged to contact the Smith County Auditor's Office and submit a complaint if they are aware of any suspicious or fraudulent activities.

Criminal offenses investigated include but are not limited to:

Theft
Forgery
Tampering with a governmental record
Securing execution of document by deception
Conversion of funds
Abuse of official capacity
Gift to a public servant by a person subject to his or her jurisdiction
Breach of computer security
Bribery

Yes. If contact information is provided with the initial complaint, a representative of the Auditor's Office may contact you regarding the status of the complaint.