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Frequently asked questions on the Whistleblowing Act

How does someone who wants to blow the whistle contact the Financial Services Authority?

We would encourage you first to use the whistleblowing procedures in your workplace. If there aren't any or if you don't feel able to do so, then you can ring us on 020 7066 9200 during office hours or leave a message on voicemail and, if you wish, we will ring you back. You might want to e-mail us, in which case there is a specific address whistle@fsa.gov.uk. Or you can write to us at:

Intelligence Department (Ref PIDA)
The Financial Services Authority
25 The North Colonnade
Canary Wharf
London E14 5HS

Do you give advice on the Whistle blowing Act?

No, we cannot advise on the Act. If you need legal advice we suggest that you contact a body like the independent charity, Public Concern at Work, 020 7404 6609/ www.pcaw.co.uk which gives free, confidential advice.

Can consumers use the whistleblowing line?

Consumers should contact our consumer helpline on 0845 606 1234 or email consumerhelp@fsa.gov.uk. The Whistle blowing Act provides protection in certain circumstances for workers; our whistleblowing line is meant for workers who want to report concerns relating to their employer and is relevant to the functions of the FSA.

Do you tape record whistleblowing telephone calls?

We tape all calls and we make all reasonable efforts to let callers know we are doing this. We do so to ensure we have caught all the info rmation correctly. If the caller asked us not to tape the conversation we would respect their wishes.

Will the whistleblower's identity become known to their employer?

We undertake to treat the whistleblower sensitively and do our best to protect the whistleblower's identity, if desired. But we cannot give any categorical assurances on confidentiality since circumstances may be such that disclosure of identity becomes unavoidable in law or is otherwise necessary to meet our statutory objectives.

Do you need to know the whistleblower's name?

We obviously cannot insist that the whistleblower gives us their name, but it is helpful to have it, together with other contact details, in case we need to get in touch.

What information do you need from a whistleblower?

Hard evidence - if you've got it - is clearly helpful. However, the Whistleblowing Act does not require you to have evidence before blowing the whistle to us, but does say you must reasonably believe the information and any allegations in it are substantially true. We would prefer that you spoke to someone internally (or to us) about your concern at an early stage rather than wait to attempt to get the evidence.

Will you listen to a whistleblower if they have not first tried to raise their concerns internally?

Following the approach in the Whistleblowing Act, we strongly encourage workers to blow the whistle internally in the first instance. However, if the whistleblower has disclosed their worries internally and is concerned either by the response or lack of response, or if they feel unable to talk to anyone internally for whatever reason, we will certainly listen.