Fraud by program in Montana
| Program | Announcements | More |
|---|---|---|
| PPP/EIDL | 3 | All PPP/EIDL cases |
Where to report fraud in Montana
| Type of fraud | Report to |
|---|---|
| Medicaid provider fraud | Medicaid Fraud Control Unit · Montana Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation (Attorney General) · (800) 376-1115 (Medicaid Fraud Hotline) |
| SNAP, child care assistance, cash assistance | DPHHS Office of Inspector General – Program Integrity Section (SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, LIEAP recipient fraud; 800-201-6308) |
| Unemployment benefits | Montana Department of Labor & Industry – Report Fraud and Identity Theft (UI fraud hotline 406-444-0072) |
| Medicare and other HHS programs | HHS-OIG · 1-800-HHS-TIPS |
| Any WHIP-covered federal program, if you want a reward | America.gov/fraud (how to submit) |
Whistleblower rewards in Montana
| Program | What it pays | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Montana False Claims Act Covers all state funds (state and local governmental entities) | 15–25% if the government attorney proceeds (no more than 10% if based primarily on public disclosures); 25–30% if not (MCA § 17-8-410) | Mont. Code Ann. §§ 17-8-401 to 17-8-416 |
| Federal WHIP | $10,000–$30,000 per tip that leads to criminal charges | DOJ terms |
| Federal False Claims Act | 15–25% of the recovery if the government intervenes; 25–30% if not | 31 U.S.C. § 3730(d) |
HHS-OIG DRA review: Approved (10/4/21).
Estimate federal awards for your case with the calculator, or compare programs in WHIP vs the False Claims Act.
Latest announcements
| Date | Announcement | Program | Stage | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-21 | Bozeman woman sentenced to prison for bank fraud and money laundering | PPP/EIDL | Sentenced | — |
| 2026-01-22 | Bozeman woman pleads guilty to fraud charges | PPP/EIDL | Pleaded guilty | — |
| 2025-09-24 | Judge convicts Great Falls man of wire fraud and money laundering for fraudulent use of COVID funds | PPP/EIDL | Convicted at trial | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Justice press releases, classified by WHIP Reward. Each row is one press release; the same case can appear at several stages, so amounts should not be added. Charged cases are allegations. Search all 3 in the database.
Frequently asked questions
How do I report Medicaid fraud in Montana?
Report provider fraud to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (Montana Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation (Attorney General)), or to the HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS. To be eligible for a federal WHIP award, also submit the tip in writing at America.gov/fraud.
Does Montana pay whistleblowers?
Yes. Under the Montana False Claims Act (Mont. Code Ann. §§ 17-8-401 to 17-8-416), a whistleblower who files a case receives 15–25% if the government attorney proceeds (no more than 10% if based primarily on public disclosures); 25–30% if not (MCA § 17-8-410). Federal programs (WHIP and the federal False Claims Act) apply as well.
How many fraud cases has the DOJ announced in Montana?
3 announcements since January 20, 2025 in our database, counting each press release separately (a case can appear at charge, plea and sentencing). 1 of them announced a sentence.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Justice: Whistleblower Rewards Program
- dojmt.gov/dci-home/investigations-bureau/medicaid-fraud-control-unit
- archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0170/chapter_0080/part_0040/section_0100/0170-0080-0040-0100.html
- archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0170/chapter_0080/part_0040/section_0010/0170-0080-0040-0010.html
- archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0170/chapter_0080/part_0040/section_0160/0170-0080-0040-0160.html
- oig.hhs.gov/fraud/state-false-claims-act-reviews
- dphhs.mt.gov/oig/PC/PCPI
- uid.dli.mt.gov/report-fraud
- U.S. Department of Justice press releases (justice.gov/news)