Reporting Unlawful Businesses: Your Rights And Responsibilities

If you suspect a business is breaking the law, it's important to know how to report it to the relevant authorities. The process for reporting a business may vary depending on the nature and location of the violation, but there are some general guidelines to follow. Firstly, do not attempt to take matters into your own hands. Instead, contact your local law enforcement agency and file a complaint. You can simply phone in and provide the necessary information. After filing your complaint, a detective or officer will typically be assigned to investigate the matter and will likely request a statement from you.

In addition to local law enforcement, you can also reach out to your State Attorney General's Office, especially if the business in question doesn't have a physical office in your state but is still operating there. For example, this could apply to an online business. Similar to local police, the Attorney General's office will assign someone to your case and request a statement from you.

Depending on the specific situation, there may be other options for reporting a business. For instance, if you have knowledge of a company engaging in illegal activities outside of their main line of business, you can contact the relevant regulatory agency. For example, if you know of a lawn care company selling drugs, you could file a formal complaint with the Department of Agriculture. This approach allows other agencies to handle contacting the authorities, keeping you at a distance from the process.

It's important to remember that reporting a business can be complex, and you may need legal assistance to navigate the process effectively. Additionally, it's crucial to protect yourself from potential retaliation by seeking guidance from whistleblower protection laws and consulting with an attorney if needed.

Contact your local law enforcement agency

If you suspect a business is breaking the law, the first thing to do is contact your local law enforcement agency. You can do this by simply phoning in and filing a complaint. After you file your complaint, a detective or officer will usually be assigned to your case and will want to get a statement from you.

It's important to note that you should not try to take matters into your own hands. Dealing with businesses can be complex, and it's best to leave it to the authorities. By reporting your suspicions to the local law enforcement agency, you can help bring any unlawful practices to light while also ensuring your own safety.

In addition to contacting the police, you may also want to reach out to your State Attorney General's Office, especially if the business in question doesn't have a physical office in your state but is still doing business there, such as an online business. The Attorney General's Office will also assign someone to your case and will likely ask for a statement from you.

Remember, if you know or suspect that a business is committing a crime, always contact the authorities. This will help protect you from any potential legal repercussions and ensure that the matter is handled by those with the appropriate expertise and authority.

File a complaint with your State Attorney General's Office

If you need to report a business that is breaking the law, one option is to file a complaint with your State Attorney General's Office. This is especially relevant if the business does not have a physical office in your state but is still operating within your state, for example, an online business.

Firstly, you should gather all the information you can about the business in question. This includes the name of the business, the full address, including the zip code, and any other contact information. It is also useful to have specific dates and details of the complaint. The more information you can provide, the better. Some offices also allow you to upload supporting documents with your complaint, such as images or audio/video files. However, do not include any sensitive or confidential information in your complaint, such as your date of birth or financial account numbers.

Next, you will need to select the correct complaint form. Different states have different categories, but some common ones include consumer complaints, privacy complaints, charity complaints, and civil rights and discrimination complaints. You can usually file your complaint online, or you may need to print out a form and send it to the office.

After submitting your complaint, you should receive a confirmation email within a certain number of days. This will include a unique reference number for your complaint. Your complaint will then be reviewed, and further information may be requested. An investigation may be carried out, and you may be contacted to give a statement.

Report to a relevant department (e.g. Department of Agriculture)

If you believe a business is breaking the law, it is important to contact the relevant authorities and not take matters into your own hands. One option is to contact your local Department of Agriculture and file a formal complaint. This is particularly relevant if the business operates in the agricultural sector, such as a lawn-care company.

The Department of Agriculture has various divisions and departments that handle different types of complaints. For example, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is responsible for violations or suspected violations in the grain, livestock, meat, and poultry industries. The AMS encourages individuals to report incidents of slow or non-payment for livestock, potential antitrust practices, and unfair or deceptive practices. You can contact the AMS via their toll-free number, email, or mailing address:

• Toll-free number: 1-833-342-5773
• Email: PSDComplaints@usda.gov
• Mailing Address: Packers and Stockyards Division USDA, AMS, FTPP STOP 3601 1400 Independence Ave., SW Washington, D.C. 20250-3601

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General (USDA OIG) handles reports of violations of laws and regulations relating to USDA programs. This includes criminal activity, mismanagement of funds, animal fighting crimes, conflict of interest, and confidentiality breaches. The USDA OIG allows complainants to remain confidential, anonymous, or to allow their name to be used in any investigation. To file a complaint with the USDA OIG, you can call their hotline or send documents by mail or fax:

• Hotline: 800-424-9121
• Hotline (Local DC): 202-690-1622
• Mailing Address: USDA, OIG Hotline, P. O. Box 23399, Washington, D.C. 20026-3399
• Fax: (202) 690-2474

When filing a complaint with the Department of Agriculture or any of its divisions, it is important to provide as much detailed information as possible, including who is committing the violation, what they are doing, where and when the activity is taking place, and any witnesses to the alleged activity.

Contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

If you need to report a business that is breaking the law, there are several options available to you. One option is to contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA is a government agency within the U.S. Department of Labor that is responsible for ensuring safe and healthy working conditions. They do this by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.

• Phone Number: You can reach OSHA by calling 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742). This number can be used to report emergencies, unsafe working conditions, safety and health violations, or to file a complaint. If you are an employee, you can also use this number to ask questions about your rights and how to stay safe at work.
• Online Resources: OSHA has a website with a variety of resources, including a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. You can browse this page to search for answers to common questions. If you don't find the information you need, you can also email OSHA with your specific question.
• In-Person Visits: If you prefer to speak to someone in person, you can visit your local OSHA office. You can find the address of the nearest OSHA office by using the "Find an Office Near You" feature on their website.
• Mailing Address: For general correspondence, you can write to OSHA at the following address: Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Room Number N3626, Washington, D.C. 20210.
• Whistleblower Complaints: OSHA takes whistleblower complaints seriously. If you are an employee and you believe you have been retaliated against for reporting unsafe conditions or other violations, you can file a whistleblower complaint within 30 days of the alleged retaliation.
• Technical Issues: If you are experiencing technical difficulties with the OSHA website or the Injury Tracking Application (ITA), you can complete a Website Error Report or a Help Request Form, respectively.

Remember, when reporting a business that is breaking the law, it is important to provide as much detailed information as possible. This can help OSHA conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate enforcement actions. Additionally, your identity will be kept confidential, and employers are not permitted to retaliate against employees for filing complaints or cooperating with investigations.

Submit a complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

If you need to submit a complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), you can do so in several ways. Firstly, you should be aware that there are strict time limits for filing a charge. Typically, you need to file a charge within 180 calendar days from the day the discrimination took place. This deadline is extended to 300 calendar days if a state or local agency enforces a law that prohibits employment discrimination on the same basis. For age discrimination, the deadline is only extended to 300 days if there is a state law prohibiting age discrimination in employment and a state agency enforcing that law.

You can file a charge of employment discrimination in the following ways:

• Online: Use the EEOC Public Portal to submit an inquiry, schedule an appointment, and file a charge. The portal will ask you a series of questions to determine if the EEOC is the appropriate federal agency to handle your complaint.
• In person: Visit your nearest EEOC office or one of the 53 field offices. You can schedule an appointment online or walk in. It is recommended that you bring any relevant information or papers that will help the EEOC understand your case.
• By phone: Call 1-800-669-4000 to discuss your situation and determine if your case is covered by the laws enforced by the EEOC.
• By mail: Send a letter to the EEOC that includes your name, address, email, and telephone number; the employer's name, address, email, and telephone number; the number of employees (if known); a short description of the discriminatory actions; when they took place; and why you believe you were discriminated against. Don't forget to sign your letter, as unsigned letters cannot be investigated.

Regardless of the method you choose, it is important to gather all the necessary information before filing your complaint. This includes your contact details, the employer's contact details, a description of the discriminatory events, when they occurred, and why you believe you were discriminated against.

After you file your complaint, the EEOC will provide you with a copy and a complaint number. They will review your complaint and contact you if they require additional information. If they determine that the law may have been violated, they will attempt to reach a voluntary settlement with the employer. If a settlement cannot be reached, your case will be referred to their legal staff, who will decide whether to file a lawsuit. If they decide against filing a lawsuit, you will be given a Notice-of-Right-to-Sue.

Frequently asked questions