The full list of routine uses for this correspondence can be found in the System of Records Notice titled, JUSTICE/ATR-009, “Public Complaints and Inquiries File,” 45 Fed. Reg. 57898, 902 (Nov. 17, 1980); 66 Fed. Reg. 8425 (Jan. 31, 2001); 82 Fed. Reg. 24147 (May 25, 2017); and in the System of Records Notice titled, JUSTICE/ATR-006, “Antitrust Management Information System (AMIS) - Monthly Report,” 63 Fed. Reg. 8659 (Feb. 20, 1998), 66 Fed. Reg. 8425 (Jan. 31, 2001), 66 Fed. Reg. 17200 (Mar. 29, 2001), 82 Fed. Reg. 24147 (May 25, 2017). They can also be found in the System of Records Notice titled, FTC-I-1, “Nonpublic Investigational and Other Nonpublic Legal Program Records,” 73 Fed. Reg. 33592, 33597–33598 (June 12, 2008); and in the System of Records Notices titled, FTC-IV-1, “Consumer Information System,” 73 Fed. Reg. 33592, 33622–33623 (June 12, 2008).
Will my confidentiality be protected?
The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission will protect your confidentiality to the fullest extent possible under the law and also commit to supporting relevant whistleblower protections, including applicable protections for criminal antitrust complainants against unlawful retaliation.
To submit an anonymous complaint, provide the complaint details, but do not enter your contact information.
For any information provided, including any personal information you choose to provide, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice will follow their respective Privacy and Confidentiality Policies found at: FTC Privacy Policy, DOJ Privacy Policy, and DOJ Antitrust Division Confidentiality Policy Regarding Complainants.
What happens after I submit my complaint?
The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission will review your complaint and determine how best to proceed. This may include opening an investigation under the relevant legal authorities or coordinating on investigation efforts.
Complaints will be handled in the following way:
- The agencies will create a record of the information that you provide.
- The relevant agency will conduct a preliminary review of your complaint for possible violations.
- If your complaint raises sufficient concern under relevant federal law, it will be referred to the appropriate staff where additional review may lead to a formal investigation into the reported conduct.
- If you provide your contact information and more information is needed, we will contact you as timely as possible. Due to the confidential nature of investigations, you will not be notified if an investigation is opened.
- In some instances, the volume of complaints on a particular issue is so great that we cannot respond to each message individually. Your views are important, and all incoming correspondence is reviewed for possible violations of relevant federal law.