OIG: FAQs

<!DOCTYPE html> <html> <head> <meta charset="utf-8"/> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1"/> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1"/> <meta property="og:title" content="OIG: FAQs"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://oig.federalreserve.gov/images/OIG-twitter-card-small.png"/> <meta property="og:description" content="The OIG provides independent oversight of the Board and the CFPB to improve their programs and operations and to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse."/> <meta property="og:url" content="https://oig.federalreserve.gov/faq-about-oig.htm" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@OIGFedCFPB" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="FAQs" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Review of agency programs and operations." /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://oig.federalreserve.gov/images/OIG-twitter-card-small.png" /> <meta name="twitter:image:alt" content="Seal of the Office of Inspector General" /> <title> OIG: FAQs </title> <link rel="icon" type="image/x-icon" href="/gifjpg/favicon.ico"/> <link href="/_/includes/main.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen"/> <link href="/_/includes/print.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="print"/>  <style type="text/css"> .share-page{margin-bottom: 30px;} .icon-email-link, .icon-twitter, .icon-signup-email-updates, .icon-rss {color:#00416B;font-size: 1.8em;} .share-this-page li{float: left;} .icon-email-link{left: 30px;} .stay-connected ul li a {color: #666;font-weight: normal;height: 30px;padding-left: 0;padding-right: 0;text-decoration: none;width: 30px;} .stay-connected ul li {font-size: 12px;padding-bottom: 0;} .twitter-link{left: 40px;} .linkedin-link{left: 80px;} .stay-connected-container li{padding-bottom: 0;} .stay-connected-container .rss-link{margin-left: 40px;} .stay-connected-container .twitter-link{left: 80px;} .stay-connected-container .linkedin-link{left: 120px;} .icon-linkedin{ background-image: url("/_/includes/images/linkdin-icon-21px.png"); background-repeat: no-repeat;display: block;width: 37px;height: 30px; } .icon-twitter-svg{ background-image: url("/_/includes/images/Twitter_Logo_Blue.svg"); background-repeat: no-repeat;background-position: -9px -9px;display: block; width: 40px; height: 40px; } </style> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="/resources/exit_Disclaimer.js"></script> </head> <body> <noscript><div class="external-links-disclaimer"><p> If you are seeing this message, Javascript is disabled. Disclaimer for all external links found on this page: The Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau does not necessarily endorse the views expressed or the facts presented on the external sites. The OIG does not endorse any commercial products that may be advertised or on the external sites. The OIG's privacy policy does not apply on the external sites. Please check the site for its privacy notice. </p></div></noscript> <div id="skiptonav"><a href="#primary-navigation">Skip to Navigation</a></div> <div id="skiptocontent"> <a href="#maincontent">Skip to Main content</a> </div> <div id="supplementary-navigation-con" class="con"> <div id="supplementary-navigation" class="nav container clearfix"> <button class="icon-search"></button> <button class="icon-toggle icon-list"></button> <a href="/hotline.htm" class="mobile-hotline">Hotline</a> <ul> <li><a href="/faq-about-oig.htm">FAQs</a></li><li><a href="/careers.htm">Careers</a></li><li><a href="/contact-us.htm">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="container">  <div class="svg-test BrandImage" id="branding"> <a title="OIG Home" href="/default.htm"> <svg width="100%" height="100%"> <title>OIG Home</title> <image xlink:href="/images/oig-logotype.svg" src="/images/oig-logotype.png" width="100%" height="100%" /> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="seal2"> <a title="OIG Home" href="/default.htm"> <svg width="100%" height="100%"> <title>OIG Home</title> <image xlink:href="/images/oig-seal-hdr-embed.svg" src="/images/oig-seal-hdr.png" width="100%" height="100%" /> </svg> </a> </div> <form id="search" action="//www.fedsearch.org/oig_search/search" method="get"> <div> <label for="searchbox">Search full text of reports and pages:</label> <input type="text" id="searchbox" name="text" value=""/> <a href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="document.getElementById('search').submit();"> <span class="icon-search"></span> <span class="screen-reader">Search</span> </a> </div> </form> </div> <div class="con" id="primary-navigation-con"> <div class="nav container clearfix" id="primary-navigation"> <ul class="nav"> <li class="dropdown active"> <a class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" href="/aboutus.htm">About Us</a> <a class="sub-nav-toggle"><span class="icon-chevron-down"></span></a> <ul class="sub-nav"> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/introduction.htm">Introduction to the OIG</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/the-inspector-general.htm">The Inspector General</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/senior-leadership.htm">Senior Leadership</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/strategic-plan.htm">Strategic Plan</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/diversity-equity-inclusion-accessibility.htm">Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/inspector-general-act.htm">Inspector General Act</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/board-activity.htm">Board Activity</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/cfpb-activity.htm">CFPB Activity</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/pandemic-oversight.htm">Pandemic Response Oversight</a> </li> <li class="dropdown Level3Selected"> <a href="/faq-about-oig.htm">FAQs</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" href="/reports.htm">Reports</a> <a class="sub-nav-toggle"><span class="icon-chevron-down"></span></a> <ul class="sub-nav"> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/reports/audit-reports.htm">Audit Reports</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/reports/work-plan.htm">Work Plan</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/reports/semiannual-report-to-congress.htm">Semiannual Reports to Congress</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/reports/major-management-challenges.htm">Major Management Challenges</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/reports/open-recommendations.htm">Open Recommendations</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/reports/peer-reviews.htm">Peer Reviews</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" href="/audits.htm">Audits</a> <a class="sub-nav-toggle"><span class="icon-chevron-down"></span></a> <ul class="sub-nav"> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/audits-what-we-do.htm">What We Do</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/audit-oversight-areas.htm">Oversight Areas</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/audit-highlights.htm">Audit Highlights</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" href="/investigations.htm">Investigations</a> <a class="sub-nav-toggle"><span class="icon-chevron-down"></span></a> <ul class="sub-nav"> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/investigations-what-we-do.htm">What We Do</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/fraud-prevention.htm">Fraud Prevention</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/investigations-case-highlights.htm">Case Highlights</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" href="/infotech.htm">Information Technology</a> <a class="sub-nav-toggle"><span class="icon-chevron-down"></span></a> <ul class="sub-nav"> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/it-what-we-do.htm">What We Do</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/fisma.htm">FISMA</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/data-analytics.htm">Data Analytics</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" href="/newsroom.htm">Newsroom</a> <a class="sub-nav-toggle"><span class="icon-chevron-down"></span></a> <ul class="sub-nav"> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/releases/media-contact.htm">Media Contact Information</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/releases/news-releases.htm">News Releases</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/releases/media-kit.htm">Media Kit</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="sup-mobile"><a href="/faq-about-oig.htm">FAQs</a></li><li class="sup-mobile"><a href="/careers.htm">Careers</a></li><li class="sup-mobile"><a href="/contact-us.htm">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> <a href="/hotline.htm"><div class="hotline"><H3>HOTLINE</H3> <P>Report Fraud, Waste, or Abuse</P></div></a> </div> </div> <div class="container landing-page"> <div class="content" id="secondary-content"> <h3 class="label">IN THIS SECTION</h3> <div class="breadcrumbs"> <ul> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/introduction.htm">Introduction to the OIG</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/the-inspector-general.htm">The Inspector General</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/senior-leadership.htm">Senior Leadership</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/strategic-plan.htm">Strategic Plan</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/diversity-equity-inclusion-accessibility.htm">Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/inspector-general-act.htm">Inspector General Act</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/board-activity.htm">Board Activity</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/cfpb-activity.htm">CFPB Activity</a> </li> <li class="dropdown"> <a href="/pandemic-oversight.htm">Pandemic Response Oversight</a> </li> <li class="dropdown Level3Selected"> <a href="/faq-about-oig.htm">FAQs</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div style=""> <span class="skipSection"><a href="#182">Skip SHARE THIS PAGE section</a></span> <div class="section stay-connected share-page share-page"> <h3 class="label">SHARE THIS PAGE</h3> <ul class="share-this-page"> <li class="email-link"><a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1d4f787e746d7478736958707c7471226e687f77787e69205b5c4c6e3b7f727964207569696d6e27323272747a337b7879786f7c716f786e786f6b78337a726b327b7c6c307c7f7268693072747a33756970"><span class="icon-email-link"></span></a></li> <li class="twitter-link"> <script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script><script type="text/javascript">document.writeln("<a href=\"javascript:exitWindow('https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter%2Ecom%2Fshare%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Foig%2Efederalreserve%2Egov/faq-about-oig.htm','external',true)\"><span class='icon-twitter-svg'></span></a>");</script> <noscript><a href="https://twitter.com/share?url=https://oig.federalreserve.gov/faq-about-oig.htm" target="_blank"><span class='icon-twitter-svg'></span></a></noscript> </li> <li class="linkedin-link"> <script type="text/javascript">document.writeln("<a href=\"javascript:exitWindow('https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Elinkedin%2Ecom%2FshareArticle%3Fmini%3Dtrue%26url%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Foig%2Efederalreserve%2Egov/faq-about-oig.htm','external',true)\"><span class='icon-linkedin'></span></a>");</script> <noscript><a href="/faq-about-oig.htm" target="_blank"><span class='icon-linkedin'></span></a></noscript> </li> </ul> </div> <a id="182" name="182"></a> <span class="skipSection"><a href="#417">Skip STAY CONNECTED section</a></span> <div class="section stay-connected share-page subscribe"> <h3 class="label">STAY CONNECTED</h3> <ul class="stay-connected-container"> <li class="rss-link"></span><a href="/feeds/rss_feeds.htm"><span class="icon-rss"></a></li> <li class="signup"></span><a href="/oig_subscribe.htm"><span class="icon-signup-email-updates"></a></li> <li class="twitter-link"> <script type="text/javascript">document.writeln("<a href=\"javascript:exitWindow('https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter%2Ecom%2FOIGFedCFPB','external',false)\"><span class='icon-twitter-svg'></span></a>");</script> <noscript><a href="https://twitter.com/OIGFedCFPB" target="_blank"><span class='icon-twitter-svg'></span></a></noscript> </li> <li class="linkedin-link"> <script type="text/javascript">document.writeln("<a href=\"javascript:exitWindow('https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Elinkedin%2Ecom%2Fcompany%2Foig%2Dfederalreserve%2Dcfpb','external',false)\"><span class='icon-linkedin'></span></a>");</script> <noscript><a href="https://twitter.com/OIGFedCFPB" target="_blank"><span class='icon-linkedin'></span></a></noscript> </li> </ul> </div> <a id="417" name="417"></a></div> </div> <div class="content container" id="main-content"> <div class="article"><a id="maincontent"></a> <h1>FAQs</h1> <div class="accordion_container"> <div class="accordion" id="office-of-inspector-general"> <div class="accordion_question"> <h3><a href="#Office of Inspector General">Office of Inspector General</a></h3> </div>  <div class="accordion_answer_container"> <div class="accordion_answer"> <div class="faq_container"> <span style="display:none">/761AE504D6ED4898BDA34C8AE19F0F82.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q118">What's an Inspector General?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>An Inspector General is a public official responsible for conducting independent oversight of the programs and operations of a federal agency. The Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, requires Inspectors General to</p> <ul class="list"> <li>conduct independent and objective audits, investigations, and inspections</li> <li>prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse</li> <li>promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness</li> <li>keep agency heads and Congress informed of problems and corrective actions</li> </ul> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/B95BC9AD65524180A15A0317F44294DC.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q453">What are the OIG's responsibilities? </a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>We perform independent oversight of two federal agencies: the Board and the CFPB.</p> <p>We conduct audits, investigations, and other reviews to assess the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of Board and CFPB programs and operations, including their supervision of financial institutions, compliance with laws and regulations, and internal operations. We are required by Congress to perform some reviews, such as reviews of certain failed financial institutions supervised by the Board and reviews of the Board's and the CFPB's information security programs. We also oversee independent audits of the financial statements of the Board and the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council. Our <a href="/reports/audit-reports.htm">reports</a> explain why we conducted the review, describe what issues we found, and recommend ways the agency can correct them. We do not manage agency programs or implement changes.</p> <p>We investigate wrongdoing related to the agencies' programs and operations committed by agency employees, contractors, or any other person or entity. We also investigate wrongdoing that hinders the agencies' ability to supervise financial institutions within their jurisdictions—for example, a bank providing false information to regulators. Investigations may be criminal, civil, or administrative, with findings referred to the U.S. Department of Justice, the Board, or the CFPB.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/9A69B16E9C714021BAF0EC9DBECDA7FB.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q128">What's the Board? Is it the same thing as the Federal Reserve or the Fed?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>The Federal Reserve System, often called the Fed, is the nation's central bank. It has three key parts:</p> <ol class="list"> <li>the Board of Governors, a federal government agency that oversees the Federal Reserve System</li> <li>the 12 Federal Reserve Banks, which are the System's operating arms</li> <li>the Federal Open Market Committee, comprising the members of the Board of Governors and Reserve Bank Presidents, which sets monetary policy</li> </ol> <p>We oversee the Board of Governors. For more information about the Federal Reserve System, see the <a href="http://www.federalreserve.gov/" target="_blank">Board's website</a>.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/F42BD3934F954DD3B28762E6254A0B83.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q454">Does the OIG audit the Federal Reserve Banks?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>We oversee the Reserve Banks' supervision of Board-regulated institutions, because the Board has delegated this function to the Reserve Banks. As a general matter, other than Board-delegated functions, we do not audit the Reserve Banks' activities. That work is conducted by the Reserve Bank general auditors.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/A03F83B7FDC94DCFB9B0EE9A0D9471AE.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q1507">What's the CFPB?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>The CFPB enforces federal consumer financial laws. Its work includes writing rules for and supervising financial companies, monitoring markets, taking consumer complaints, and promoting consumer financial education. For more information, see the <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov" target="_blank">CFPB’s website</a>.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/64CA81B00D2441F7960017E5B3347EFC.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q140">What authority does the OIG have to conduct its work? </a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>Under the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, we have</p> <ul class="list"> <li>access to all records and documents available to the agencies we oversee</li> <li>subpoena authority to require the production of records from nonfederal entities</li> <li>law enforcement powers, such as executing arrest and search warrants</li> </ul> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/85D4F3D3BCF54890AF20BF19A0E24DF0.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q119">Who appoints the Inspector General?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>The Inspector General is appointed by the Chair of the Board of Governors. All Inspectors General are appointed without regard to their political affiliation and based on their integrity and their ability in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, management analysis, public administration, or investigations.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/1440BA68D785469F8EC7B146C9A19185.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q120">Who does the Inspector General report to?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>The Inspector General reports to the Board of Governors and the Director of the CFPB and has an independent reporting responsibility to Congress. Specifically, the Inspector General must keep the Board, the CFPB, and Congress informed about any significant issues related to the administration of programs and operations of the agencies, any recommendations to address those issues, and the progress made by the agencies in implementing corrective action.</p> <p>The Inspector General must also issue a <a href="/reports/semiannual-report-to-congress.htm">semiannual report to Congress</a> summarizing our activities every 6 months.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/534258B038ED49CCBD48E5D662AAFE05.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q142">Who oversees the Inspector General?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>All OIGs are subject to congressional reporting and public scrutiny. OIGs publish reports on their public websites and issue semiannual reports to Congress. These reports provide important information about the OIG's work and the status of recommendations made by the OIG.</p> <p>OIGs are also subject to <a href="/reports/peer-reviews.htm">peer reviews</a> by other OIGs. Generally conducted every 3 years, peer reviews determine whether OIGs are operating in accordance with applicable professional standards. The results of all such peer reviews are made public on OIG websites and in semiannual reports to Congress.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.ignet.gov" target="_blank">Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency</a> (CIGIE) helps ensure OIG professionalism and accountability. CIGIE is an independent entity within the executive branch charged with increasing the professionalism and effectiveness of OIG personnel. The CIGIE Integrity Committee serves as an independent review and investigative mechanism for allegations of wrongdoing brought against Inspectors General and other designated OIG senior staff. For more information, see the <a href="http://www.ignet.gov/content/integrity-0" target="_blank">Integrity Committee website</a>.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/6A8F86E32513445D9E3093716DB68D19.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q141">What responsibilities do agencies, employees, and other individuals have with respect to the OIG?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>The Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, provides OIGs with access to all information available to the Board and the CFPB that is needed to fulfill the OIG's responsibilities. The Board and the CFPB also require all employees, contractors, grantees, and other persons carrying out functions for them to cooperate with our information requests and questions. Employees have a duty to report suspected instances of fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct, or criminal activity.</p> <p>Employees or others concerned about possible wrongdoing can contact us through the <a href="/hotline.htm">OIG Hotline</a>.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  <div class="accordion" id="audits"> <div class="accordion_question"> <h3><a href="#Audits and Evaluations">Audits and Evaluations</a></h3> </div>  <div class="accordion_answer_container"> <div class="accordion_answer"> <div class="faq_container"> <span style="display:none">/8E1DA36CE4204A8DB1A809A233A52046.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q146">What's an audit?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>Audits are reviews of an agency's programs and operations to ensure that the agency is efficiently and effectively performing its work. Audits are objective, fact based, and performed in accordance with the U.S. Government Accountability Office's <a href="http://www.gao.gov/yellowbook/overview" target="_blank"><em>Government Auditing Standards</em></a>.</p> <p>We generally conduct performance audits, which provide findings and recommendations based on an assessment of sufficient, appropriate evidence against criteria like laws, regulations, contracts, or other benchmarks. Performance audits aim to improve program performance and operations, reduce costs, facilitate corrective action, and contribute to public accountability.</p> <p>We also oversee independent audits of the financial statements of the Board and the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council. The CFPB's financial statements are audited by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, as required by law.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/F79C71A0AE204533B09EAE49C992E3F5.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q147">What's an evaluation?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>Evaluations are systematic and independent assessments of the design, implementation, or results of an agency’s operations, programs, or policies. They often recommend improvements and identify where agency action is necessary to increase efficiency and effectiveness.</p> <p>Our evaluations are performed in accordance with the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency’s <a href="http://www.ignet.gov/content/quality-standards" target="_blank"><em>Quality Standards for Inspection and Evaluation</em></a>.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/693AFA338FBF40788A6B719125FCDD85.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q148">How do you decide what to audit or evaluate?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>We base our decisions on risk and focus on areas that we see as <a href="/reports/major-management-challenges.htm">major management challenges</a> for the Board and the CFPB. We also consider input from our agency and congressional stakeholders. We look to improve the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of Board and CFPB programs and operations. We maintain a <a href="/reports/work-plan.htm"><em>Work Plan</em></a>, updated quarterly, that describes our ongoing and planned work.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/5E1658F4F68A45E0979BAF8FDD8064B9.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q151">How do you audit and evaluate?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>Audits and evaluations have three phases:</p> <p><strong>Planning</strong></p> <ul class="list"> <li>We announce to the agency the proposed scope and objectives of the project.</li> <li>We meet with the agency staff to discuss our scope and objectives, information needs, and key milestones.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Fieldwork</strong></p> <ul class="list"> <li>We gather and analyze information.</li> <li>We develop findings and recommendations based on relevant criteria or benchmarking.</li> <li>We meet with agency stakeholders to update them on our work, ask for more information, and get feedback on our findings and recommendations as we develop them.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Reporting</strong></p> <ul class="list"> <li>We provide a discussion draft report for agency comment during an exit meeting.</li> <li>We provide an official draft report and ask for an official written response to it.</li> <li>We issue a final report to the agency that includes the official written response. We provide the report to Congress and post it to our website.</li> </ul> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/FC1DC8C93E9D4CFBB4FB6F9FDDD63DE5.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q799">How do you determine whether an agency has implemented your recommendations?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>We report the status of our recommendations in our <a href="/reports/semiannual-report-to-congress.htm">semiannual reports to Congress</a> and in our <a href="/reports/open-recommendations.htm">open recommendations lists</a>. We ask that each agency provide us documentation to show that it has implemented our recommendations. We may also perform an in-depth follow-up review to assess the effectiveness of their implementation.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/2FC2A965E8BF47CC93D21D465AD0F4DF.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q152">What type of reports do you issue?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p><strong>Audit reports</strong> provide our findings and recommendations based on an assessment of sufficient, appropriate evidence against criteria like laws, regulations, contracts, or other benchmarks.</p> <p><strong>Evaluation reports</strong> summarize our systematic and independent assessments of the design, implementation, or results of agency operations, programs, or policies.</p> <p><strong>Security control reviews</strong> evaluate the effectiveness of the information security for a subset of the Board's or the CFPB's information systems, including those provided or managed by another agency, a contractor, or another organization.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  <div class="accordion" id="information-technology"> <div class="accordion_question"> <h3><a href="#Information Technology">Information Technology</a></h3> </div>  <div class="accordion_answer_container"> <div class="accordion_answer"> <div class="faq_container"> <span style="display:none">/79CB2365168E407BB5FA375DE6EFE996.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q171">What's an IT audit?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>IT audits review Board and CFPB IT systems as well as management and operational controls within their IT infrastructures. These audits focus on such areas as information security controls, systems development, operations, investment, and contractor support. Recommendations are aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of IT systems and protecting data. IT audits usually result in a report, but these reports may be restricted due to the sensitivity of the information they contain.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/E5B01673D0BB414886F2412B5D16AF4C.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q172">How do you decide what IT areas to audit?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>The Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA) requires us to perform annual independent audits of the information security program and practices of the Board and the CFPB to determine their effectiveness. FISMA also requires us to perform information security control reviews for subsets of the agencies' information systems. In addition, each year we review the Board's and the CFPB's IT systems and challenges to determine the highest risks to their mission functions, which includes a focus on information security.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/F7865CF88B274E47B710669AFBB3DC49.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q173">What professional standards apply to IT audits?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>IT audits follow the guidelines in the U.S. Government Accountability Office's <a href="http://www.gao.gov/yellowbook/overview" target="_blank"><em>Government Auditing Standards</em></a>. For our annual FISMA audit work, we comply with <a href="http://csrc.nist.gov/groups/SMA/fisma/" target="_blank">guidance</a> provided by the National Institute for Standards and Technology and follow direction from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/AD7442CA13B0492A8BAEE2BD2E420704.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q174">What's the IT audit process?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>We start with a brief survey of the system or IT area and assess potential risks or vulnerabilities that warrant further analysis. We then formulate an audit approach.</p> <p>If the audit involves reviewing information security controls, we also determine which controls we will examine to best analyze major risks and vulnerabilities. We incorporate agency officials' formal comments in our final report.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  <div class="accordion" id="investigations"> <div class="accordion_question"> <h3><a href="#Investigations">Investigations</a></h3> </div>  <div class="accordion_answer_container"> <div class="accordion_answer"> <div class="faq_container"> <span style="display:none">/BDA51C0DF39F4384A5DDCAE8ECD566E0.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q157">What’s an OIG investigation, and how does it start?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>Investigations look into possible violations of law, regulation, or policy. The results may be used for administrative action by the Board or the CFPB (for example, taking personnel action against the offender) and for criminal or civil action by the U.S. Department of Justice.</p> <p>Investigations come from complaints we receive from Board and CFPB employees and contractors and, in some cases, from the general public. We also may open investigations based on information we receive from the Board or the CFPB, the U.S. Department of Justice, other agencies, or Congress.</p> <p>To file a complaint, contact the <a href="/hotline.htm">OIG Hotline</a>.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/D9448BA2159D4238BB773994B1AE9951.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q158">What does the OIG investigate?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>Matters we investigate include</p> <ul class="list"> <li>violations of federal laws or agency policy</li> <li>obstruction of agency operations, such as providing false information to regulators</li> <li>ethics violations or conflicts of interest by agency officials</li> <li>employee misconduct, such as abuse of authority or misuse of position</li> <li>contract and procurement irregularities related to agency programs and operations</li> <li>theft or abuse of agency property</li> <li>travel card or purchase card fraud</li> <li>waste or mismanagement of funds or government resources</li> </ul> <p>To file a complaint, contact the <a href="/hotline.htm">OIG Hotline</a>. We are unable to intervene in or investigate consumer complaints regarding an individual's financial institution. For these complaints, please read our <a href="/federal-agency-contact-list.htm">information on consumer complaints against financial institutions</a>.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/4107B97762A743F19810F38E93503A3F.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q159">Who investigates?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>Our criminal investigators and analysts conduct investigations. We operate under statutory law enforcement authority granted by the U.S. Attorney General.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/19C9CFA2FDFA4992874841347145870F.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q160">What responsibilities do Board and CFPB employees have during an OIG investigation?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>Employees have a duty to promptly report actual or suspected violations of law, fraud, waste, abuse, or other wrongdoing. In addition, the Board and the CFPB require all employees to cooperate with and be responsive to our investigators' information requests and questions.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/2F93A7D5E75B4663A2D51D6752D3D19A.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q161">What are an employee's rights in connection with an OIG investigation?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>Employees must fully cooperate with us, which includes being interviewed, except in circumstances when employees assert their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. We cannot compel an employee to be interviewed, but agency management can direct the employee to be interviewed and can take disciplinary action if the employee declines. Employees who are bargaining-unit members may be permitted to have a union representative present during interviews.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/F545554DC488495F82DFA32A09627D1E.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q163">Can a Board or CFPB attorney represent an employee during an OIG interview?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>We do not permit Board or CFPB attorneys to represent agency employees during interviews. Government attorneys represent the agency and are thus prohibited from personally representing individual agency employees.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  <div class="accordion" id="hotline"> <div class="accordion_question"> <h3><a href="#Hotline">Hotline</a></h3> </div>  <div class="accordion_answer_container"> <div class="accordion_answer"> <div class="faq_container"> <span style="display:none">/0E94EB5C39134547A043935062880444.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q766">What should I report to the OIG Hotline?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>Anyone may report fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement related to the programs or operations of the Board or the CFPB by contacting the <a href="/hotline.htm">OIG Hotline</a>. Examples of the types of activities to report include</p> <ul class="list"> <li>violations of federal laws or agency policy</li> <li>obstruction of agency operations, such as providing false information to regulators</li> <li>ethics violations or conflicts of interest by agency officials</li> <li>employee misconduct, such as abuse of authority or misuse of position</li> <li>contract and procurement irregularities related to agency programs and operations</li> <li>theft or abuse of agency property</li> <li>travel card or purchase card fraud</li> <li>waste or mismanagement of funds or government resources</li> </ul> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/8E65E9F874EA4821982E4FC9CE1F21DE.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q767">I have a consumer complaint against my financial institution. Can I file a complaint with you?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>No. We cannot intervene in or investigate consumer complaints against individuals' financial institutions or other entities supervised by the Board or the CFPB. For these complaints, please read our <a href="/federal-agency-contact-list.htm">information on consumer complaints against financial institutions</a>.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/EF727FBB40544598B1A8C07E8D291F6A.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q769">Can I submit information anonymously?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>Yes. Your contact information, though, will help us pursue your complaint, because we usually need more information. Please note that we will not disclose your identity except in rare circumstances when the Inspector General deems it unavoidable during the course of an investigation or if you provide your consent.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/1446A32B8F2B48CFAF37253E10537D14.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q768">What protections apply to me if I report fraud, waste, or abuse?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>We will not disclose the identity of an individual who comes forward with a complaint or information, except in rare circumstances when the Inspector General deems it unavoidable during the course of an investigation or if you provide your consent.</p> <p>Board and CFPB employees are also protected under the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, from reprisals or retaliation for reporting a complaint or disclosing information to us. Reserve Bank employees should refer to their Reserve Bank policy. For more information, please read about <a href="/whistleblower.htm">whistleblower rights and protections</a>.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/974DCE7C6905435D9AAF43AA19B6C233.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q770">What happens after I submit my complaint?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>We evaluate the complaint and, if appropriate, refer our findings to the Board or the CFPB for administrative action (for example, taking personnel action against the offender) or to the U.S. Department of Justice for criminal or civil action. We typically do not provide status updates to complainants.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  <div class="accordion" id="pandemic"> <div class="accordion_question"> <h3><a href="#Pandemic Oversight">Pandemic Oversight</a></h3> </div>  <div class="accordion_answer_container"> <div class="accordion_answer"> <div class="faq_container"> <span style="display:none">/BF34C74A312943CB8F3130D35E372136.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q1745">How is pandemic response oversight being coordinated across the government?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>We are closely coordinating our oversight activities of the Board's pandemic response activities with the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC), the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Justice, and other offices of inspector general to ensure robust oversight and to efficiently deploy resources where they are most needed.</p> <p>To ensure coordinated oversight and leadership of pandemic response efforts governmentwide, Inspector General Mark Bialek serves as a member of PRAC, an oversight body established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to ensure governmentwide coordinated oversight of the federal government's COVID-19 pandemic response efforts. For more information about PRAC and its work, see the following:</p> <ul class="list"> <li><a href="https://www.pandemicoversight.gov/">PRAC website</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-announces-task-force-combat-covid-19-fraud">Attorney General Announces Task Force to Combat COVID-19 Fraud</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ignet.gov/sites/default/files/files/PRAC-press-release-additional-members.pdf">Additional Inspectors General Designated as Members of CIGIE's Pandemic Response Accountability Committee</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.pandemicoversight.gov/news/pandemic-response-perspectives-from-banking-industry">Pandemic Response: Perspectives From the Banking Industry</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.pandemicoversight.gov/news/pandemic-response-housing-insights">Pandemic Response: Housing Insights</a></li> </ul> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/6DCF9F2E050E4AD1B8D28324A912F690.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q1744">Where can I find more information about the Board's pandemic response? </a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <ul class="list"> <li><a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/covid-19.htm">Board pandemic resources</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/reports-to-congress-in-response-to-covid-19.htm">Board lending facilities reports to Congress</a></li> </ul> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/B2BA3845DB864246BC27A9A4B3317394.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q1743">Where can I find more information about the CFPB's pandemic response? </a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <ul class="list"> <li><a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/">CFPB pandemic resources</a></li> </ul> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/325B9454ACDE49759333A66770578CC0.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q1742">How can I report allegations of fraud against Board- or CFPB-related pandemic programs?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>You can report fraud using the <a href="/hotline.htm">OIG Hotline</a>. Please note that we can only investigate allegations related to the programs and operations of the Board and the CFPB. <a href="/federal-agency-contact-list.htm">Click here</a> for information about reporting other types of allegations.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  <span style="display:none">/3BAA115F632945D4801BBBF1042C9275.htm</span> <div class="faq"> <div class="faq_question"> <p><a href="#q1741">Where can I find more information about CARES Act legislation?</a></p> </div> <div class="faq_answer_container"> <div class="faq_answer"> <p>The full text of the CARES Act is available <a href="https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr748/BILLS-116hr748enr.pdf">here</a>.</p> </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div>  </div> </div>  <div class="right-column"> </div>  </div> <span id="mobile-placeholder"></span> <div class="wrapper-footer">  <div class="footer container" id="body-footer"> <div class="container about-fed-cfpb"> <h3 class="label">LINKS TO THE BOARD AND THE CFPB</h3> <ul> <li class="fed-seal"><a href="//www.federalreserve.gov/" target="_blank" title="Board of Governors">Board of Governors</a></li> <li class="cfpb-logo"><a href="http://www.consumerfinance.gov/" target="_blank" title="Consumer Financial Protection Bureau">Consumer Financial Protection Bureau</a></li> </ul> </div><div class="container related-sites"> <h3 class="label">RELATED SITES AND RESOURCES</h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.gao.gov/" target="_blank">U.S. Government Accountability Office</a></li><li><a href="http://www.ignet.gov/" target="_blank">Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency</a></li><li><a href="http://www.treasury.gov/about/organizational-structure/ig/Pages/Council-of-Inspectors-General-on-Financial-Oversight.aspx" target="_blank">Council of Inspectors General on Financial Oversight</a></li><li><a href="https://oversight.gov/" target="_blank">Oversight.gov</a></li> </ul> <ul > <li><a href="/sitemap.htm">Sitemap</a></li><li><a href="//www.federalreserve.gov/accessibility.htm" target="_blank">Accessibility</a></li><li><a href="//www.federalreserve.gov/disclaimer.htm" target="_blank">Disclaimer</a></li><li><a href="//www.federalreserve.gov/privacy.htm" target="_blank">Privacy</a></li> </ul> <ul > <li><a href="//www.federalreserve.gov/foia/about_foia.htm" target="_blank">FOIA</a></li> <li><a href="//www.federalreserve.gov/eeo.htm" target="_blank">No Fear Act Data</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.usa.gov/" target="_blank"><img src="/gifjpg/usagov_logo_color_notag.gif" title="usa.gov logo: USA.gov is the U.S. government's official web portal to all federal, state, and local government web resources and services" alt="usa.gov logo: USA.gov is the U.S. government's official web portal to all federal, state, and local government web resources and services" style="width: 75px; height: 21px; margin-left: -11px;"/></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="/resources/jquery.min.js"></script> <script src="https://code.jquery.com/ui/1.14.0/jquery-ui.js" integrity="sha256-u0L8aA6Ev3bY2HI4y0CAyr9H8FRWgX4hZ9+K7C2nzdc=" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function () { $('.accordion-content').hide(); $('.accordion-header').click(function () { $('.accordion-content:visible').slideUp('slow'); $(this).next().slideDown('slow'); }); }); </script> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="/resources/oig_Custom.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="/resources/_faq.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="/resources/faq.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function () { if(window.location.hash.indexOf("#pandemic")>-1) {$('.faq_question:last a').click();} }); </script>  <script>(function(){function c(){var b=a.contentDocument||a.contentWindow.document;if(b){var d=b.createElement('script');d.innerHTML="window.__CF$cv$params={r:'8e9463c679d3820b',t:'MTczMjczNDMyNy4wMDAwMDA='};var a=document.createElement('script');a.nonce='';a.src='/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/scripts/jsd/main.js';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(a);";b.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(d)}}if(document.body){var a=document.createElement('iframe');a.height=1;a.width=1;a.style.position='absolute';a.style.top=0;a.style.left=0;a.style.border='none';a.style.visibility='hidden';document.body.appendChild(a);if('loading'!==document.readyState)c();else if(window.addEventListener)document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',c);else{var e=document.onreadystatechange||function(){};document.onreadystatechange=function(b){e(b);'loading'!==document.readyState&&(document.onreadystatechange=e,c())}}}})();</script></body> </html>

CINXE.COM

OIG: FAQs