When should the Office of the Inspector General be notified about suspected fraud?

• A. Is alerted of potential fraud
• B. Investigates the allegation of the fraud
• C. After internal review is complete
• D. Receives credible information of fraud

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that the Office of the Inspector General should be notified when credible information about fraud is received. Credible information means specific, verifiable facts—who was involved, what happened, when and where, and with supporting documents or corroborating sources. The OIG’s role is to independently oversee and coordinate investigations to protect program integrity, preserve evidence, and ensure appropriate accountability. Notifying them at the moment credible information exists allows proper oversight and timely action, rather than waiting for rumors, partial internal reviews, or only after an investigation has already begun elsewhere.