CFPB Whistleblower Reward
Learn What You Need to Know About CFPB Whistleblower Rewards from the Senior Lawyers at Oberheiden P.C.
Whistleblower Team Lead
Former DOJ Attorney
Whistleblower Team Lead
Whistleblower Team
Former U.S. Attorney and District Attorney
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) accepts whistleblower complaints from any civil servant, private-sector employee, or individual performing tasks related to consumer financial protection (including former employees). However, it does not currently have a whistleblower reward program. Even so, there are still many reasons to report fraud, waste, abuse, and other forms of wrongdoing to the CFPB; and, in some cases, rewards will be available under other federal whistleblower programs.
This page provides an overview of the latest information on CFPB whistleblower awards and the options that prospective whistleblowers have available at the time of writing. Since there have been multiple proposals to establish a CFPB whistleblower reward program in recent years, it is important to ensure that you are relying on the most up-to-date information. With this in mind, if you have questions about filing a whistleblower complaint with the CFPB, we strongly encourage you to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at Oberheiden P.C.
CFPB Whistleblower Reward Program: 2026 Update
As of 2026, the CFPB does not have a whistleblower reward program under the Consumer Financial Protection Act. While the CFPB has requested the legislative authority to develop and administer a whistleblower reward program, to date its efforts have been unsuccessful. The first attempt—the proposed Financial Compensation for CFPB Whistleblowers Act failed to make it out of committee in 2021—and similar legislative efforts have failed in recent years.
This is unfortunate, because whistleblower reward programs have proven to be highly effective tools for helping federal agencies expose fraud, waste, abuse, and other forms of wrongdoing. With the substantial costs of fraud within the consumer financial services sector, the CFPB serves in a critical role. While whistleblowers can still file tips with the CFPB, there is no question that a CFPB whistleblower reward program would provide even greater incentives for individuals to come forward.
Will we see a CFPB whistleblower reward program authorized under the Consumer Protection Act or another federal statute in the future? The answer to this question is that we simply don’t know. The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) whistleblower programs provide a clear roadmap and precedent for the effectiveness of these types of programs, and the proposed Financial Compensation for CFPB Whistleblowers Act sought to establish a CFPB whistleblower program modeled on the SEC’s program. For now, though, no such programs exist, so prospective whistleblowers who are interested in seeking a reward must consider the other options that are available.
Alternatives to Filing a Whistleblower Complaint with the CFPB
While some violations of federal consumer financial laws fall within the CFPB’s enforcement jurisdiction exclusively, prospective whistleblowers will be able to report fraud, waste, abuse, and other forms of wrongdoing through other means in some cases. Here are some examples of potential alternatives to filing a whistleblower complaint with the CFPB—all of which provide access to federal whistleblower reward programs:
Filing a Whistleblower Complaint with the CFTC
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) accepts whistleblower complaints involving market manipulation, insider trading, cryptocurrency fraud, Commodity Exchange Act violations, Dodd-Frank Act violations, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) violations, and various other types of prohibited practices that can negatively impact consumers’ finances. As a result, the CFPB’s enforcement authority and the CFTC’s enforcement authority overlap in some cases.
If you have information about potential law violations affecting individuals purchasing consumer financial products that would be of interest to both the CFPB and the CFTC, filing a whistleblower complaint with the CFTC could make you eligible for a whistleblower reward. The CFTC established its whistleblower reward program in 2014; and, since then, it has awarded approximately $390 million to whistleblowers following successful enforcement actions. Learn more about filing a CFTC whistleblower complaint.
Filing a Whistleblower Complaint with the SEC
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is well-known for its whistleblower reward program and the size of the rewards it has issued under its program in recent years. To date, the SEC has issued approximately $2 billion to award whistleblowers, including the largest-ever whistleblower reward (nearly $279 million) issued in 2023.
Similar to the CFTC, the SEC enforces compliance with federal laws and regulations that are intended to protect investors. While the CFTC focuses on the commodities markets, the SEC focuses on the securities markets. The CFPB’s enforcement authority and the SEC’s enforcement authority overlap in various areas as well, so filing a whistleblower complaint with the SEC will also be an option for prospective CFPB whistleblowers in some cases. Learn more about filing an SEC whistleblower complaint.
Filing a Whistleblower Complaint with FinCEN
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is part of the U.S. Treasury Department. While it has long offered financial rewards to eligible whistleblowers, it recently overhauled its whistleblower reward program to bring it more in line with those of the CFTC and SEC. As a result, FinCEN whistleblower rewards now have the potential to be much greater, and this provides even more of an incentive for prospective whistleblowers to come forward.
FinCEN shares responsibility with the CFPB (among other federal agencies) for enforcing the BSA, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, and other anti-money laundering (AML) statutes and regulations. With this in mind, if you are considering reporting a BSA or AML violation to the CFPB, you may also want to consult with a lawyer about filing a whistleblower complaint with FinCEN. Learn more about filing a FinCEN whistleblower complaint.
Filing a Whistleblower Complaint Under the Financial Institutions Anti-Fraud Enforcement Act (FIAFEA)
The Financial Institutions Anti-Fraud Enforcement Act (FIAFEA) prohibits embezzlement, money laundering, wire fraud, and other unlawful acts within the financial services industry. It is enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), a federal law enforcement agency, and it provides for whistleblower rewards ranging from $200,000 to $1.6 million depending on the circumstances involved in each particular case.
If you have information about a violation of the FIAFEA, you may be able to file a whistleblower complaint with the DOJ instead of the CFPB. Learn more about filing a DOJ whistleblower complaint.
Filing a Whistleblower Complaint Under the False Claims Act (FCA)
The False Claims Act (FCA) prohibits false and fraudulent claims under federal grants and programs. As a result, if you have information about fraud under a CFPB contract or grant, you may be eligible to file a whistleblower complaint (or qui tam complaint) under the FCA.
The FCA contains whistleblower reward provisions that entitle eligible whistleblowers to between 10% and 30% of the amount the government recovers. Whistleblowers must file their qui tam complaints in federal court, where they are eligible for anti-retaliation protections while working alongside the DOJ. Learn more about filing a False Claims Act whistleblower complaint.
FAQs: Whistleblower Rewards for Reporting Consumer Financial Protection Violations
Does the CFPB Have a Whistleblower Reward Program?
No, the CFPB does not currently have a whistleblower reward program. As a result, while it is possible to file a whistleblower tip with the CFPB, doing so will not make you eligible for a financial reward.
Is There a Reward for Reporting Consumer Fraud to the Federal Government?
While the CFPB does not currently have a whistleblower reward program, several other federal agencies with overlapping enforcement jurisdiction administer whistleblower reward programs. If you are eligible to file a whistleblower complaint with the CFPB and another agency, filing with the other agency may allow you to seek a whistleblower reward. Other agencies that handle consumer fraud cases include the CFTC, SEC, FinCEN, and DOJ.
Who Can Report Consumer Fraud to the Federal Government (and Receive a Reward)?
Anyone who has information about violations of consumer financial protection laws, such as the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, is encouraged to report what they know to the federal government, with covered employees, former employees, and other individuals being eligible for whistleblower protections. To receive a financial reward, however, you must file a formal whistleblower complaint with a federal agency that administers a whistleblower reward program. While the CFPB does not have a whistleblower reward program, other agencies (including the CFTC, SEC, FinCEN, and DOJ) do. A whistleblower attorney at Oberheiden P.C. can help you make an informed decision about how and where to come forward.
How Do I Decide Whether to Report Consumer Fraud to the CFPB or Another Federal Agency?
If you need to report consumer fraud to the federal government, we strongly recommend that you speak with an experienced whistleblower attorney as soon as possible to discuss your rights under any applicable anti-retaliation provisions and your potential eligibility for a whistleblower reward. If you are eligible to serve as a whistleblower, there are specific steps you will need to take to secure protected whistleblower status. You will also need to decide where to file your complaint, as only select federal agencies administer whistleblower reward programs and provide whistleblower protections.
Can a Lawyer Help Me Obtain a CFPB Whistleblower Reward?
No, since the CFPB does not have a whistleblower reward program, a lawyer cannot help you obtain a CFPB whistleblower reward. However, as we have discussed above, you may be eligible to file your whistleblower complaint with another agency that does have a reward program. If you are thinking about contacting the CFPB, we invite you to contact us first so that we can help you make informed decisions about your next steps.
