Office of Inspector General (OIG)
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This section includes information on how to report fraud and the actions taken by the Office of Inspector General (OIG).
Policy
The Arizona State Legislature created a special services unit to perform special investigations within the State of Arizona. The Department of Economic Security (DES) created the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to serve as the special services unit. The OIG exists to safeguard Arizonans by preventing and detecting fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct. FAA is responsible for resolving questionable information given during the eligibility process. Participants are required to provide true statements and correct verification to FAA so an accurate eligibility determination can be completed.
FAA refers cases to OIG for investigation when fraud is suspected. Participants are required to comply with the investigation process. Failure to comply may result in a case closure, denial, or a potential overpayment.
The general public, employees, and participants may submit a request to investigate potential fraud. The general public and participants may submit a request through any of the following methods:
●Completing an electronic form on the DES website. (See https://des.az.gov/report-fraud/report-suspected-fraud to report benefits fraud.)
●Calling the DES Fraud Hotline at any of the following numbers:
(800) 251-2436 (toll-free inside Arizona)
(602) 542-9449 (direct and outside of Arizona)
The OIG Public Assistance Benefit Fraud Administration (PABF) investigates client allegations of potential fraud for all NA and CA cases, and Medical Assistance (MA) that include NA or CA throughout Arizona.
The OIG PABF is responsible for all of the following investigations:
●Client allegations of potential fraud for all NA and CA cases.
●Client allegations of potential fraud for Medical Assistance (MA) that include NA or CA throughout the state.
NOTE When an OIG investigator does a home visit, the participant may contact the DES Fraud Hotline to confirm the identity of the investigator.
OIG completes a Report of Investigation and forwards the findings to FAA. The participant or their authorized representative can contact the DES Public Records Request Coordinator to view or obtain a copy of the Report of Investigation.
Verification
The participant has the primary responsibility for providing verification. (See Participant Responsibilities – Providing Verification for additional policy.)
The Investigation Information Request (C022) notice informs the participant of all the information that is needed to complete the investigation. The notice also provides information on how the participant can receive a copy of the investigation report.
Legal Authorities
7 CFR 273.16(a)(1)
7 CFR 273.2(d)
AAC R6-12-908
ARS 46-132
ARS 46-215
last revised 06/29/2026