Today, the Securities and Exchange Commission Office of the Whistleblower website posted 15 new covered actions that will now be considered for a whistleblower award. A whistleblower must submit a timely application for an award in a covered action within 90 calendar days. The SEC’s website is a vital resource for whistleblowers and their counsel to navigate the SEC whistleblower process to make disclosures and claim an award. You can access the website at this link: https://www.sec.gov/whistleblower and you may review all of the 185 cases (including the new cases posted today) that are eligible for consideration of an award at this link: https://www.sec.gov/about/offices/owb/owb-awards.shtml.
Why is the SEC whistleblower website so important? It can mean the difference between a whistleblower receiving or not receiving a financial award under Dodd-Frank. The SEC Whistleblower Office will publish a list of cases that the SEC considers “covered actions” under the Dodd-Frank and potentially eligible for an award. An individual then has ninety (90) calendar days from the date that “covered action” is posted to apply for an award from SEC Whistleblower Office.
The application does not mean that a whistleblower will automatically receive an award, but if the whistleblower does not submit an application within 90 calendar days of the date the covered action is posted on the SEC web stie they will have no chance receiving an award.
The SEC listed 15 new actions that are covered under the Dodd-Frank Act today. That means that the 90-day clock is rolling for whistleblowers to submit their award application form on those cases. The National Whistleblowers Center strongly encourages whistleblowers to check out the SEC whistleblower awards page regularly so they do not miss their opportunity to apply for a financial reward.
The SEC Whistleblower Office website also allows individuals to submit a tip online, provides answers to frequently asked questions, and has a list of supplemental resources about Dodd-Frank whistleblower awards, including the Final Rules.
If you are looking for legal representation to assist you in reporting fraud to the SEC, the National Whistleblower Legal Defense and Education Fund may be able to help you. You can submit a confidential intake form to the Attorney Referral Service by clicking here.