Hotlines present a number of advantages to preventing corruption. As a channel for whistleblowers to anonymously report irregularities, they can aid in detecting incidents of fraud. They may also deter potential fraudsters, raise awareness of the agency’s commitment to fighting corruption, and identify risk areas to develop or improve prevention and detection.

Knowing this, which aid agencies have undertaken the establishment of such hotlines? The U4 Helpdesk looked at this question as part of its Expert Answer series and found information on two programmes. The question and response can be found in their entirety at: www.u4.no

Danida Anti-Corruption Hotline
Denmark’s development agency Danida offers various ways to report incidences of corruption: directly through their hotline, via a staff member or in a letter sent directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The report will remain anonymous unless the person filing it wishes to pursue the matter further. To report corruption electronically, the following link can be used:
www.um.dk/en/menu/DevelopmentPolicy/AntiCorruption/HelpUsToFightCorruption.

If corruption is uncovered in one of Danida's programmes or its funds are misused, the matter is generally handed over to traditional law enforcement. In deciding which avenue to pursue, Danida evaluates the situation using two criteria: the level of corruption and the will to rectify evident misuse.

The World Bank
The World Bank has initiated an international hotline (1-800-831-0463) where Bank staff members and the general public can report alleged corruption. Operated 24 hours a day, the hotline is run by an independent firm staffed by multilingual, trained specialists, working within the guidelines of strict standards of confidentiality.

Allegations of corruption in the Bank's lending portfolio can be made online to the Department of Institutional Integrity, or INT. INT investigates allegations of fraud, corruption and staff misconduct in Bank-financed projects, and refers its findings to decision makers, including the Bank’s Sanctions Committee, for action. Investigations can result in the withholding, cancellation or early repayment of loans. Allegations may include contract irregularities and violations of the Bank's procurement guidelines, bid rigging, collusion by bidders, fraudulent bids, fraudulent contracts, bribery, and misuse of Bank funds or positions.

Involvement of Bank staff in corruption can lead to termination of their contract and legal action. The Bank can debar firms and individuals from future contracts for a specific or an unlimited period of time; about one hundred firms and individuals are currently on the public 'blacklist'. Information-sharing procedures help determine if a company has already been sanctioned by another international financial institution.