SEC Whistleblower Program (Form TCR)

What it does

Original information about potential violations of the federal securities laws. For AI: material misrepresentation of model capability, safety practices or risk to investors — 'AI-washing' cases have been brought. Reaches Google, Microsoft, Meta and Nvidia; reaches private labs only where securities law otherwise bites.

Honest assessment

The only route in this entire list that pays the whistleblower substantial money and has a long, documented record of doing so. The critical mechanic: you may submit anonymously, but only if you are represented by an attorney who provides their contact information — anonymity and award eligibility both depend on having counsel. Requires reframing an AI safety concern as an investor-disclosure concern, which is a genuine constraint but often achievable where a company has made public safety claims.

How to file

Submit through the SEC's Tips, Complaints and Referrals portal (recommended — gives immediate confirmation and a submission number), or mail/fax Form TCR to SEC Office of the Whistleblower, c/o ENF-CPU, 1604 Springhill Road, Suite 110, Vienna, VA 22182, fax +1 703-813-9322. You must answer 'yes' to filing under the whistleblower program and complete the whistleblower declaration to get award eligibility and enhanced confidentiality.

Format

Form TCR: detailed narrative plus supporting documents.

Timing

Rolling, but you must submit directly to the SEC in a timely way — reporting elsewhere first does not satisfy the requirement and can cost you award eligibility.

What happens after

Triage by the Office of the Whistleblower; possible investigation; awards of 10–30% of sanctions over $1 million.

What it accepts

What it does not accept

Safety concerns with no securities-law dimension. 'This model is dangerous' is not an SEC matter unless the company told investors otherwise.

Operated by

US Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of the Whistleblower