Fraud Hotline Services

Studies by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners have consistently found that the anonymous tip was the most common way unethical employee conduct was detected within organizations and that anonymous reporting mechanisms such as a hotline are vital to preventing unethical and fraudulent behavior. 

As part of a commitment to developing services that meet client needs, BST has added a confidential fraud hotline service to its portfolio of business integrity and forensic accounting services.  BST offers two types of hotline services - 1) a 24/7, full -service telephone and web-based confidential reporting system managed by BST for non-attest clients, and 2) a customized web-based confidential reporting tool accessible to any client wishing to manage its own reporting system.

Full-Service Option

This option offers clients 24/7 access to a confidential toll-free phone number, and secure on-line web form through which employees can report incidents of suspected fraud or employee misconduct.  All incidents reported through the telephone hotline or web form are completely confidential, and are forwarded immediately to the client for appropriate action.  BST will protect the identity of complainants requesting confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

Calls placed to the Hotline using the toll-free number will be answered by trained BST case intake staff from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday, excluding holidays.  Intake staff will ask each caller a series of prepared questions to determine the "who, what, when, where and how" of the events in question.  During off-hours, calls will be answered by BST's secure voice messaging system that also will prompt the caller to provide this specific information.    Callers may opt to remain anonymous, but will be asked to leave contact information or to call again in one week to allow for follow-up questions that might emerge from their employer's preliminary investigation of the initial complaint. 

Individuals may also access BST's secure website and complete a detailed incident reporting form by entering a unique access code assigned to their employer.  When the form is completed, a confirmation page will be generated with a case ID that can be printed for future reference. 

By the close of the next business day following receipt of a telephone or web-based report, BST will provide a verbal summary of the information received to a person designated by the client.  A written summary will follow within 72-hours.  BST promptly will provide to the client any additional information received. 

Client-Managed Option

For those clients opting to manage a confidential reporting system internally, BST offers a web-based reporting system that can be tailored to meet a client's specific requirements.  Under a licensing agreement with BST, a client will be assigned a unique reporting web address where persons authorized by the client can access an electronic complaint reporting form.  Only the client can access these forms for review and necessary follow-up.  The system also includes a complaint monitoring tool through which a client can track follow-up activities for each complaint.  In addition, the client can modify the reporting form and management tool directly with BST's web-services consultant to address unique circumstances. BST can also provide training to assist the client with system implementation.  The Client-Managed Option is ideal for those clients wanting access to a state-of-the-art electronic complaint reporting and monitoring system while maintaining manage over the complaint reporting process.

If otherwise not deemed a conflict, BST is available to perform various forensic or other consulting services in follow-up to a Hotline report, if requested by the client. 

All questions relating to BST's Hotline or other Business Integrity Services should be directed to either Christopher Rosetti or Edward Dominelli at 518-459-6700.