Division of Financial Institutions Whistleblower Complaints

We encourage you to provide us with your contact information so that we can evaluate your information more thoroughly by contacting you, but if you would like to remain anonymous you can also submit a whistleblower complaint to us without providing your name or other personally identifiable information. You can also request anonymity in your complaint and we will do our best to honor that request.

What happens when I submit information to IDFPR?

• IDFPR reviews all tips it receives and may utilize such tips in examinations, investigations, reviews, or any other authorized regulatory activity. The Division of Financial Institution’s investigations are confidential, so it will not contact you to provide a status of your complaint or any steps taken to investigate your concerns. 
• IDFPR will take steps to protect submissions from public disclosure to the extent allowed by law. However, any information you provide to us, including any personal information you choose to provide, may be shared as outlined below or if otherwise required by law, including the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
• Information about your complaint or inquiry (including your personally identifiable information (PII)) may be shared: with the entity that is the subject of your complaint; with third parties to get information relevant to your complaint; with federal or state agencies or regulatory authorities for enforcement and statutory purposes; and as otherwise permitted or required by law. Please note that you can submit information to us without providing your name or other personally identifiable information.
• IDFPR cannot act on your behalf in a court of law or as a lawyer or give legal advice. You may always consult with a private attorney regarding your complaint. 

What are my protections?

• IDFPR will attempt to protect whistleblower complaint submissions from disclosure, including by asserting appropriate exemptions from and confidentiality provisions prohibiting disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
• The Illinois Whistleblower Act, 740 ILCS 174/15(b), as well as the federal Consumer Financial Protection Act, 12 U.S.C. 5567, provide protection in certain circumstances against retaliation for employees reporting to a government or law enforcement agency. Please consult these acts for details of full applicability for your particular situation. These laws may not apply to your situation, and you may wish to consult with an attorney. 

What entities are regulated by DFI?

IDFPR’s Division of Financial Institutions regulates the following industries:

• Collection Agency
• Company that offers to help with your debt
• Credit Union
• Currency Exchange
• Money Lender
• Money Transmitter
• Title Insurance Company or Agent

Please note that IDFPR only regulates state licensees. Certain institutions may be overseen primarily by federal regulators. Other regulators who accept whistleblower complaints include the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Reserve. Additional regulators include, but are not limited to, the National Credit Union Association and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. 

Am I eligible for a monetary reward?

No. IDFPR is not authorized to provide monetary incentives to individuals who come forward to report possible violations of the law.

If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and need assistance submitting a whistleblower complaint, please contact IDFPR’s ADA Coordinator, George Cotton, by emailing him at FPR.EEO@illinois.gov or by calling IDFPR’s Chicago Office at 312-814-4500 or its TTY/TDD line at 866-325-4949 and asking to speak with Mr. Cotton.