Whistleblower Hotline

Report fraud, waste and abuse

Examples of reportable offenses include:

  • Illegal acts: theft, fraud, bribery, and kickbacks
  • Conflict of interest
  • Misuse, waste or abuse of property or time
  • Misappropriation of resources

The Whistleblower Hotline provides Santa Cruz County employees and citizens with a way to report alleged fraudulent activity by Santa Cruz County government employees, misuse of County resources by vendors, contractors or County employees, and significant violations of County policy. Allegations reported over the Hotline are evaluated and investigated.
 

Confidentiality

The Whistleblower Hotline is a confidential resource to report any wrongdoing, however if your report results in criminal prosecution, you may be called upon to testify and confidentiality may not be maintained.

How to report?

 

You can mail a letter and evidence to: Whistleblower Hotline
701 Ocean Street, Suite 100
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
You can call the Hotline: 831-454-3333
You may leave a message in English or Spanish.

You can submit an online form in English or Spanish by clicking here for English and clicking here for Spanish.

Reports relating to building code and planning department related violations must be filed via the Planning Department's website: http://sccoplanning.com/PlanningHome/CodeCompliance/CodeComplaintForm.aspx.

Additional Hotline Links

 

County Contacts   Phone Numbers   Link
Adult Protective Services   (831) 454-4101
(831) 763-8800
(866) 580-4357
  http://santacruzhumanservices.org/AdultLongTermCare
Child Protective Services   (831) 454-4222
(831) 763-8850
  http://santacruzhumanservices.org/FamilyChildren/ChildProtectiveServices/WhatisChildProtectiveServices
County Auditor-Controller   (831) 454-2500   http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/aud/audhome.htm
County Clerk   (831) 454-2060   http://www.sccoclerk.com/
District Attorney   (831) 454-2400   http://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/dainternet/
Grand Jury   (831) 454-2099   http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Departments/GrandJury.aspx
Human Services Department - Welfare Fraud   (831) 454-4109   http://santacruzhumanservices.org/
Planning Department - Code Enforcement   (831) 454-2580   http://www.sccoplanning.com/PlanningHome/CodeCompliance.aspx
Sheriff - Emergency   911    
Sheriff - Non-Emergency   (831) 471-1121   http://www.scsheriff.com/


 

Non-County Contacts   Phone Numbers   Link

 
 
Better Business Bureau of Silicon Valley   (408) 278-7400   https://www.bbb.org/losangelessiliconvalley/
Contractors State License Board   (800) 321-2752   http://www.cslb.ca.gov/
Department of Consumer Affairs   (800) 952-5210   http://www.dca.ca.gov/
Federal Trade Commission - Identity Theft   (877) 438-4338   http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
Federal Bureau of Investigations - Internet Fraud   (415) 553-7400   https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-fraud-schemes/internet-fraud
Internal Revenue Service - Tax Fraud   (800) 829-1040   https://www.irs.gov/individuals/how-do-you-report-suspected-tax-fraud-activity
Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse   (800) 952-5225   https://oag.ca.gov/dmfea/medical
Social Security Fraud   (800) 269-0271   http://www.ssa.gov/oig/hotline/
The State Bar of California   (415) 538-2000   http://www.calbar.ca.gov/
United States Postal Service - Mail Fraud   (877) 876-2455   https://ehome.uspis.gov/fcsexternal/default.aspx
Welfare Fraud   (800) 344-8477   http://www.cdss.ca.gov/Reporting/Report-Fraud/Welfare-Fraud