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11 May 1997
Source:
http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/soi/contents.htm
GAO/OSI-97-2
This document was last updated April 23, 1997
| ALR | Art Loss Register |
| ATF | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms |
| CFTC | Commodity Futures Trading Commission |
| CIS | Central Index System |
| CLASS | Consular Lookout and Support System |
| CRS | Congressional Research Service |
| CTR | Currency Transaction Report |
| DCII | Defense Central and Investigations Index |
| DEA | Drug Enforcement Administration |
| DECA | Development of Espionage Counterintelligence and Counterterrorism Awareness |
| DLR | Division of Labor Racketeering |
| DOD | Department of Defense |
| DOJ | Department of Justice |
| EDGAR | Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval |
| EFF | Electronic Frontier Foundation |
| electronic mail | |
| EPIC | El Paso Intelligence Center |
| ERISA | Employee Retirement Income Security Act |
| EX-Im-Bank | Export-Import Bank of the United States |
| FAA | Federal Aviation Administration |
| FBI | Federal Bureau of Investigation |
| FCC | Federal Communications Commission |
| FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
| FDIC | Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation |
| FERC | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission |
| FHWA | Federal Highway Administration |
| FinCEN | Financial Crimes Enforcement Network |
| FIRS | Fingerprint Identification Records System |
| FMS | Financial Management Service |
| FPDC | Federal Procurement Data Center |
| FTP | File Transfer Protocol |
| GAO | General Accounting Office |
| GILS | Government Information Locator System |
| GPO | Government Printing Office |
| GSA | General Services Administration |
| HHS | Department of Health and Human Services |
| IBIS | Interagency Border Inspection System |
| IBM | International Business Machines |
| ICTS | International Criminal Police Organization Case-Tracking System |
| IFAR | International Foundation for Art Research |
| III | Interstate Identification Index |
| INS | Immigration and Naturalization Service |
| INTERPOL | International Criminal Police Organization |
| IRC | Internet Relay Chat |
| IRS | Internal Revenue Service |
| JMIE | Joint Maritime Information Element |
| LESC | Law Enforcement Support Center |
| MAGLOCLEN | Middle Atlantic-Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network |
| MOCIC | Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center |
| NADDIS | Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Information System |
| NAIL | NARA Archival Information Locator |
| NAILS | National Alien Information Lookout System |
| NARA | National Archives and Records Administration |
| NASA | National Aeronautics and Space Administration |
| NCIC | National Crime Information Center |
| NCMEC | National Center for Missing and Exploited Children |
| NCUA | National Credit Union Administration |
| NESPIN | New England State Police Information Network |
| NFIC | National Fraud Information Center |
| NICB | National Insurance Crime Bureau |
| NIIS | Nonimmigrant Information System |
| NLETS | National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System |
| NRC | Nuclear Regulatory Commission |
| NTC | National Tracing Center |
| OSI | Office of Special Investigations |
| RISS | Regional Information Sharing System |
| RMIN | Rocky Mountain Information Network |
| ROCIC | Regional Organized Crime Information Center |
| SBA | Small Business Administration |
| SEC | Securities and Exchange Commission |
| SPICIN | South Pacific Islands Criminal Intelligence Network |
| SSA | Social Security Administration |
| TECS | Treasury Enforcement Communications System |
| USDA | U.S. Department of Agriculture |
| USMS | U.S. Marshals Service |
| USNCB | U.S. National Central Bureau |
| VA | Department of Veterans Affairs |
| WAIS | Wide Area Information Server |
| WHD | Wage Hour Division |
| WSIN | Western States Information Network |
| WWW | World Wide Web |
This 1997 Investigators' Guide to Sources of Information is published as a service to the investigative community by GAO's Office of Special Investigations. It is intended to be a useful investigative tool for identifying sources of information about people, property, business, and finance. This year's guide is organized so that all of the information about a single source is located in a single definitive category. An index has been added to locate sources of information about a topic that may be discussed in one or more places in the guide. Finally, to make the guide useful in an increasingly electronic environment, we have added Internet addresses wherever possible and a chapter on how to use the Internet to gather information valuable to the investigative process.
Additionally, for the first time, this year's guide will be accessible electronically from GAO's home page ( http://www.gao.gov ) by first selecting "Special Publications and Software" and then "Investigators' Guide to Sources of Information (GAO/OSI-97-2)." From this screen, certain sections of the report are interactive, enabling the investigator to initiate national and international links to a wide range of organizations. These links can be established by "clicking on" either an underlined and highlighted agency name or a specific Internet address in the guide.
The information provided in this guide is current as of the date of publication. As with the two previous editions of the guide, we request your assistance in updating and improving the guide periodically. Please submit any updates or suggestions on how the guide can better meet users' needs directly to us by e-mail at soiguide.osi@gao.gov or by fax at (202) 371-2442. You may also write to us at the Office of Special Investigations, U.S. General Accounting Office, 441 G Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20548.
Donald J. Wheeler
Acting Director
The 1997 Investigator's Guide to Sources of Information contains five chapters, four on information sources and a fifth on how to access information through the Internet.
The first four chapters--on local and state governments; federal agencies; directories, reference works, and other sources; and electronic databases--discuss selected information sources in definitive categories that investigators will find helpful. The guide's descriptions of information found in specific electronic databases were furnished by the organizations that administer the databases and have not been validated by GAO. Depending on their specific needs, users of the guide may want to independently validate the currency and accuracy of information in the databases. Tables in chapters 1 and 2 provide details on topics discussed in the chapters.
Chapter 5 is a guide to using the Internet for investigative purposes. In addition to sections on how to access the Internet and the tools and functions available for Internet interaction, chapter 5 contains a sample search that may be of particular interest to the novice Internet user. Chapter 5 also informs the user about the types of information available from the Internet. For specific information on the Internet and specific web browsers, please consult applicable software manuals, local bookstores and libraries, and/or various Internet service providers.
Chapters 2 and 5 list selected Internet addresses for investigators' use, including addresses for federal agencies and electronic databases. Because Internet addresses change frequently, GAO will periodically update the electronic version of the guide to reflect such changes.
The guide's table of contents, supplemented by its index, should help users to locate specific subject matter. While major topics such as federal government agencies, federal contracting, state and local government, and directories are listed in the index, subtopics such as counterfeiting, criminal history, income tax, and driver's licenses are also listed.
This guide is not intended to be an exhaustive compilation of all sources of information available to investigators. There are many other sources of valuable information that may be useful for investigative purposes. The specific sources of information identified in the guide exemplify the types of information available to investigators, many of which have proven useful in the past. The inclusion of specific products or services should not be viewed as an endorsement by GAO.
The images in the "SEARCHING THE NET" section of chapter 5 are reprinted with the permission of the copyright owners.1
As a user of this guide, you should be aware that, in many cases, information in the sources we cite may be privileged or confidential and, therefore, unavailable. Generally, the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a (1994), prohibits federal agencies from disclosing a record from "system of records" from which information may be retrieved by individual identifier, e.g., name, number, or symbol. However, federal agencies may disclose a record to another agency or governmental instrumentality for a lawful civil or criminal law enforcement activity. To receive a record, the head of the requesting agency must request the record in writing from the agency that maintains the record, specifying the portion of the record desired and the law enforcement activity for which the record is sought. The Privacy Act imposes criminal penalties on agency employees who wrongfully disclose protected information and on any person who wrongfully requests or obtains protected information under false pretenses. (5 U.S.C. 552a(i)).
The following information is available from a building inspector's office:
Coroner registers generally contain the name or description of the deceased; date of inquest, if any; property found on the deceased and its disposition; and the cause of death.
Court clerks often maintain court files on such civil actions as liens, name changes, and divorces. These files generally include the complaint (identifying the plaintiff(s), the defendant(s), and the cause of action); the answer to the complaint; and the judgment rendered. Also, depositions introduced as exhibits become part of the court records. The court clerk's minutes or the file jacket may indicate whether a transcript of the proceedings was taken.
Divorce case complaints usually identify the plaintiff and defendant; place and date of marriage (which points to the appropriate county recorder's records); date of separation, if applicable; names, ages, and birthdates of any children; community property; and grounds or charges, if any; and the attorneys retained by the parties. The plaintiff's signature is usually on the complaint and the defendant's signature can be found on the cross-complaint or answer.
Probate indexes will list probate actions alphabetically, by name of the estate or petitioner, and will give the filing date and the docket number. Individual case files often list causes of action and rulings regarding the estate, and status of potential beneficiaries who may be minors, adopted, incompetent, or insane.
Court clerks also maintain criminal court files, which may contain information describing the crime and the charges in an indictment. These files may also contain the complainant's signature (exemplar); a transcript of the preliminary hearing (usually consisting of testimony of the complainant, defendant, witnesses, and arresting officer); the names of the prosecuting and defense attorneys; the probation officer's report, with complete background investigation of the defendant; and any subpoenas issued in the case.
Health departments often license and inspect properties, identify and investigate local health problems, educate businesses on local health issues, and provide direct emergency services.
Death certificates are usually available at health departments. A death certificate provides the decedent's name; address; sex; age; race; social security number; birthplace; birthdate; and date, place, and time of death. Additionally, a death certificate generally provides the medical and coroner's certificate and information about the decedent's parents, including their occupations.
Personnel departments maintain the following information:
Public schools maintain the following information:
Recorder offices maintain the following information:
Registrars of voters may maintain the following:
Applications for business licenses, which are filed by local regulatory agencies, have valuable information on certain types of businesses and professions. Also, such applications often have useful information about individuals engaged in those businesses or professions. In many cities, the following types of businesses and professions would be regulated and their owners and/or practitioners would be required to apply for licenses:
Surveyor offices maintain maps of elevations, baselines, landmarks, important sites, roads, rights of way, and easements.
Tax assessor offices maintain maps of real property, including information on a property's dimensions, address, owner, taxable value, and improvements.
Tax collector offices maintain the following information:
Information filed by welfare commissions is gathered by social workers, psychologists, and physicians. Generally, the information gathered--frequently provided by welfare recipients--is not verified. Welfare commission files contain such information as the recipient's address, previous employment, prior earnings, and property owned. Welfare files also contain information on (1) the property owned by the recipient's relatives and (2) the relatives' health and criminal records.
State attorneys general are good sources of information on (1) efforts made in the areas of statewide criminal justice, civil enforcement, and consumer protection and (2) the functions or administrative structure of the state offices responsible for these areas. The following table lists addresses and telephone numbers for state attorneys general.
| State | Address | Telephone number |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | State House, 3rd Fl. 11 South Union Street Montgomery, AL 36104-3760 |
(334) 242-7300 |
| Alaska | Post Office Box 110300 Diamond Court Building Juneau, AK 99811 123 Fourth Street, 6th Fl. Diamond Court House Juneau, AK 99801 |
(907) 465-3600 |
| Arizona | 1275 West Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85007 |
(602) 542-4266 |
| Arkansas | 323 Center Street 200 Tower Building Little Rock, AR 72201 |
(501) 682-2007 |
| California | 1300 I Street Post Office Box 944255 Sacramento, CA 94244-2550 |
(916) 323-5370 |
| Colorado | 1525 Sherman Street, 5th Fl. Denver, CO 80203 |
(303) 866-4500 |
| Connecticut | 55 Elm Street Post Office Box 120 Hartford, CT 06141-0120 |
(860) 566-2026 |
| Delaware | Carvel State Office Building 820 North French Street Wilmington, DE 19801 |
(302) 577-8338 |
| District of Columbia | Office of the Corporation Counsel 441 4th Street, N.W., Rm. 1060 North Washington, D.C. 20001 |
(202) 727-6248 |
| Florida | The Capitol Building Plaza Level, Suite 01 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050 |
(904) 487-1963 |
| Georgia | 40 Capitol Square Atlanta, GA 30334-1300 |
(404) 656-4585 |
| Hawaii | 425 Queen Street Honolulu, HI 96813 |
(808) 586-1282 |
| Idaho | 700 West Jefferson Street Post Office Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0010 |
(208) 334-2400 |
| Illinois | James R. Thompson Center 100 West Randolph Street, 12th Fl. Chicago, IL 60601 |
(312) 814-2503 |
| Indiana | Indiana Government Center South, 8th Fl. 402 West Washington Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 |
(317) 233-4386 |
| Iowa | Hoover State Office Building, 2nd Fl. Des Moines, IA 50319 |
(515) 281-3053 |
| Kansas | Judicial Building 301 S.W. 10th Street Topeka, KS 66612 |
(913) 296-2215 |
| Kentucky | Capitol Building, Suite 116 700 Capitol Avenue Frankfort, KY 40601 |
(502) 564-7600 |
| Louisiana | 300 Capitol Drive Post Office Box 94005 Baton Rouge, LA 70804 |
(504) 342-7013 |
| Maine | Six State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 |
(207) 626-8800 |
| Maryland | 200 Saint Paul Place Baltimore, MD 21202-2021 |
(410) 576-6300 |
| Massachusetts | One Ashburton Place Boston, MA 02108 |
(617) 727-2200 |
| Michigan | Law Building, 7th Fl. Post Office Box 30212 525 West Ottawa Street Lansing, MI 48909-0212 |
(517) 373-1110 |
| Minnesota | 102 State Capitol St. Paul, MN 55155 |
(612) 296-6196 |
| Mississippi | Post Office Box 220 Jackson, MS 39205 450 High Street Jackson, MS 39201 |
(601) 359-3692 |
| Missouri | Post Office Box 899 Jefferson City, MO 65102 207 W. High Street Supreme Court Building Jefferson City, MO 65101 |
(573) 751-3321 |
| Montana | 215 N. Sanders Post Office Box 201401 Helena, MT 59620-1401 |
(406) 444-2026 |
| Nebraska | 2115 State Capitol Building Lincoln, NE 68509 |
(402) 471-2682 |
| Nevada | 198 South Carson Street Carson City, NV 89710 100 North Carson Street Carson City, NV 89701-4717 |
(702) 687-4170 |
| New Hampshire | 33 Capitol Street Concord, NH 03301 |
(603) 271-3658 |
| New Jersey | Dept. of Law and Public Safety Office of Attorney General Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex CN 080 Trenton, NJ 08625 |
(609) 292-4925 |
| New Mexico | Post Office Drawer 1508 Santa Fe, NM 87504-1508 407 Galisteo Street, #260 Santa Fe, NM 87501 |
(505) 827-6000 |
| New York | N.Y. State Dept. of Law - the Capitol Albany, NY 12224 |
(518) 474-7330 |
| North Carolina | Post Office Box 629 Raleigh, NC 27602-0629 2 E. Morgan Street Raleigh, NC 27601 |
(919) 733-3377 |
| North Dakota | State Capitol 600 East Boulevard Avenue Bismarck, ND 58505-0040 |
(701) 328-2210 |
| Ohio | Rhodes Tower 30 East Broad Street, 17th Fl. Columbus, OH 43215 |
(614) 466-4320 |
| Oklahoma | 2300 North Lincoln Boulevard Suite 112 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 |
(405) 521-3921 |
| Oregon | 1162 Court Street, NE Salem, OR 97310 |
(503) 378-6002 |
| Pennsylvania | Strawberry Square, 16th Fl. Harrisburg, PA 17120 |
(717) 787-3391 |
| Rhode Island | 150 South Main Street Providence, RI 02903 |
(401) 274-4400 |
| South Carolina | Post Office Box 11549 Columbia, SC 29211-1549 1000 Assembly Street Columbia, SC 29202 |
(803) 734-3970 |
| South Dakota | 500 East Capitol Pierre, SD 57501 |
(605) 773-3215 |
| Tennessee | 500 Charlotte Avenue, Suite 114 Nashville, TN 37243 |
(615) 741-6474 |
| Texas | Post Office Box 12548 Austin, TX 78711 209 W. 14th Street Austin, TX 78701 |
(512) 463-2191 |
| Utah | 236 State Capitol Salt Lake City, UT 84114 |
(801) 538-1326 |
| Vermont | 109 State Street Montpelier, VT 05609-1001 |
(802) 828-3171 |
| Virginia | 900 East Main Street Richmond, VA 23219 |
(804) 786-2071 |
| Washington | 1125 Washington Street S.E. Post Office Box 40100 Olympia, WA 98504-0100 |
(360) 753-6200 |
| West Virginia | State Capitol, Building 1, Rm. E26 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East Charleston, WV 25305-0220 |
(304) 558-2021 |
| Wisconsin | Post Office Box 7857 Madison, WI 53707-7857 114 E. State Capitol Madison, WI 53702 |
(608) 266-1221 |
| Wyoming | 123 Capitol Building Cheyenne, WY 82002 |
(307) 777-7841 |
Bureaus of Vital Statistics have birth certificates on file and are an excellent source of information about people. Birth certificates can provide a child's name, sex, date of birth, and address of place of birth; the names of the attending physician, midwife, and/or other assistants; the parents' names, ages, addresses, race, places of birth, and occupations; the mother's maiden name; and the number of siblings. (In some states, birth certificates may be found at the local level, such as at the health department.)
State Departments of Motor Vehicles maintain information on driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, titles, automobile transfers and sales, car dealers, car salespersons, emission inspection facilities, and--in some states--auto repair businesses. Of those states requiring that photographs of licensed drivers appear on their licenses, most maintain the photographs. Many states are changing to digital photographs.
Departments and agencies that regulate individual and business activities within a particular state can be valuable sources of information. Individuals obtain licenses for activities such as driving, hunting, and fishing and for such professions as medical, legal, and public accounting. Businesses are also often required to obtain licenses and permits to operate and file periodic reports such as for worker's and unemployment compensation, sales tax, and state income tax. The following state regulatory departments and agencies maintain information valuable to investigators:
Financial Institutions and Related Federal Administrations
and Corporations
Independent Agencies and Government Corporations
Various USDA agencies maintain information on
Some USDA agencies maintain--or have access to--financial records at the state and local levels concerning
Other USDA agencies maintain data on applicants/recipients of agriculture loans, such as
In addition, USDA has information--including certain financial data--concerning the ownership, management, and operation of farms and ranches that participate in various USDA programs.
The Department of Commerce has information on international trade, social and economic statistics, patents, trademarks, ocean studies, domestic economic development, and minority businesses.
To obtain information concerning military pay, dependents, allotments, deposits, and other financial information, contact Defense Joint Military Pay System; Director, Military Pay Directorate, Room 404; Defense Finance and Accounting Service - Headquarters; Crystal Mall #3; 1931 Jefferson Davis Highway; Arlington, VA 22202 or at (703) 607-1373.
Records--that survived a July 1973 fire--concerning the personnel and medical histories of former military personnel are located at the Military Personnel Records Center; General Services Administration; 9700 Page Boulevard; St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. To obtain such information, contact the Army at (314) 538-4122; the Air Force at (314) 538-4218; and the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard at (314) 538-4200. Records destroyed in the fire may be reconstructed. If you wish to have a record reconstructed, call (314) 538-4144.
For information on DOD investigations, see the discussion on the Defense Central and Investigations Index in chapter 4.
Electric utility and natural gas companies are required to file annual reports with FERC. The reports provide excellent financial pictures of the companies as well as other information, e.g., names of officers, directors, and stockholders who own more than 10 percent of the company. FERC also maintains license and permit information concerning companies within its regulatory control.
FDA is an enforcement agency of HHS. FDA investigators in the field conduct investigations of drug firms under the jurisdiction of the FDA.
DEA maintains information on individuals and businesses licensed to handle narcotics obtained under the Controlled Substances Act and persons in violation of federal drug laws and regulations.
DEA administers the El Paso Intelligence Center and the Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Information System, both of which are discussed in chapter 4.
FBI can provide information on criminal records and fingerprints, as well as nonrestricted information pertaining to criminal offenses and subversive activities. It also can provide information about foreign fugitives and wanted, missing, and unidentified persons.
FBI administers the National Crime Information Center which maintains information on a variety of subjects, such as stolen vehicles, license plates, and guns. See chapter 4 for more information on the Center.
FBI also maintains the following indexes:
See also the entries on the Fingerprint Identification Records System and the Interstate Identification Index in chapter 4.
INS retains the following information: alien registration records in effect since August 27, 1940 (from July 1, 1920, to August 27, 1940, immigrants were given identification cards); lists of passengers and crew on vessels from foreign ports; passenger manifests and declarations (ship, date, and point of entry); naturalization records (names of witnesses to naturalization proceedings and acquaintances of the individual); records of deportation proceedings; and financial statements of aliens and persons sponsoring their entry.
See chapter 4 for information on INS' Central Index System, Law Enforcement Support Center, National Alien Information Lookout System, and Nonimmigrant Information System.
USMS maintains (1) information on individuals wanted as fugitives by the federal government and (2) records on the seizing, managing, and selling of assets forfeited by drug traffickers and other criminals.
USNCB represents the United States in INTERPOL, operating continuously to provide international support for U.S. law enforcement. USNCB provides an essential communications link between the U.S. police community and its counterparts in over 176 foreign member countries. USNCB, therefore, can request information regarding ownership, previous investigations, vessels possibly involved in narcotics trafficking, cultural property and art work that might have been stolen, and any other information legally releasable from any of the INTERPOL member countries around the world. The degree of information available is determined by the laws of the countries from which the information is requested. USNCB can place an INTERPOL international lookout for persons who have committed an extraditable offense in the United States and are believed to have fled to another country.
Seventeen federal and state law enforcement agencies are part of USNCB, and all 50 states have established INTERPOL liaison offices. The following agencies are part of USNCB: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Criminal Division, DOJ; Environmental Protection Agency; Office of the Inspector General, USDA; Diplomatic Security Service, Department of State; DEA; FBI; Federal Law Enforcement Training Center; Massachusetts State Police; INS; Internal Revenue Service; Naval Criminal Investigative Service; Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; U.S. Customs Service; USMS; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and U.S. Secret Service. For information about the liaison offices, contact USNCB at (202) 616-1051 or 1-800-743-5630.
See chapter 4 for information on the INTERPOL Case Tracking System.
The Department of Labor has information about the Federal Employees Compensation Act, Job Partnership Training Act, Occupational Safety Health Act, and Mine Safety Health Act. The Department conducts programs under these acts and retains substantial data on businesses that participate in special work programs with the agency.
Labor organizations must submit to the Department annual financial reports, which include statements of assets and liabilities and statements of receipts and disbursements. They must also complete supporting schedules: loans receivable; other investments; other assets; other liabilities; fixed assets; loans payable; sales of investment and fixed assets; disbursement to officers; disbursement to employees; purchases of investment and fixed assets; benefits; and contributions, gifts, and grants.
The Department's Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration conducts inquiries into irregularities and complaints on transgressions of pension law.
The Department's Employment Standards Administration, Wage Hour Division (WHD) works to achieve compliance with labor standards through enforcement, administrative, and educational programs to protect U.S. workers. WHD enforces federal minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. It also enforces the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, wage garnishment provisions of the Consumer Credit Protection Act, "whistleblower" provisions of several environmental impact laws, and a number of employment standards and worker protections as provided in several immigration related statutes. Additionally, WHD administers and enforces the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis Bacon Act, the Service Contract Act, and other statutes applicable to federal contracts for construction and for the provision of goods and services.
The Division of Labor Racketeering (DLR) is a component of the Department's Office of Inspector General. DLR maintains information about labor unions, benefit plans, and related investigations. DLR's mission is to aggressively identify and reduce labor racketeering and corruption in employee benefit plans, labor-management relations, and internal union affairs. Major emphasis is placed on investigations involving benefit plans.
Primary violations investigated by DLR include
The Department of State maintains information on passport records and import and export licenses. The Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security has information on previous investigations conducted by that office.
See chapter 4 for information on the Consular Lookout and Support System.
FAA maintains records reflecting the chain of ownership of all civil aircraft in the United States. These records include documents relative to the manufacture, sale, transfer, inspection, and modification of an aircraft, e.g., bill of sale, sales contract, mortgage, and liens.
FAA also maintains records on pilots, aircraft mechanics, flight engineers, and other individuals that it certifies for flight safety positions. These records include information on certificates held by airmen and the medical and law enforcement histories of airmen.
The FAA Compliance Enforcement Program will provide a microfiche listing of registrants and their aircraft tail numbers (N number). This Office can provide the registration history of a given aircraft using the aircraft tail number, serial number, or registrant's name. It can also provide airworthiness information and lien and previous owner data.
The Coast Guard is the primary federal agency with maritime authority for the United States. It is a complex organization of people, ships, aircraft, boats, and shore stations that responds to tasks in several mission and program areas, including interdiction of drug smugglers and illegal immigrants.
The U.S. Coast Guard maintains the following information:
See chapter 4 for information on the Joint Maritime Information Element, which the Coast Guard manages.
FHWA, Office of Motor Carriers, licenses, regulates, inspects, and registers all motor carriers operating in interstate commerce. It keeps records of its inspections of motor carriers and a history of violations of each carrier.
ATF retains (1) data on distilleries, wineries, breweries, manufacturers of tobacco products, wholesale and retail dealers of alcoholic beverages, and certain other manufacturers, dealers, and users of alcohol; (2) investigative reports on alleged violations under its jurisdiction; (3) data on federally licensed firearms manufacturers, importers, and dealers; and (4) data on federally licensed explosive manufacturers, importers, and dealers.
ATF can trace firearms that have a serial number and that were manufactured or imported--from the manufacturer or importer--to the retailer after 1968. It can trace explosives materials from the manufacturer to the distributor and/or user. ATF also maintains records on federal firearms and explosive license holders, including manufacturers, importers, and dealers.
See chapter 4 for information on ATF's National Tracing Center.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing can assist law enforcement with tracking currency from its printing offices to federal reserve banks. The Bureau maintains computer files on all currency research that is done at the request of law enforcement agencies. If a match is made, e.g., by serial numbers, the Bureau will notify the law enforcement agency of the match. Currency search requests should be sent to the Office of Security, Investigative Branch; Bureau of Engraving and Printing; Room 510-A; 301 14th Street, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20228.
The Bureau of the Public Debt maintains information on purchased and redeemed U.S. savings bonds (registered bonds), marketable securities, and special securities. Information maintained includes the series of bonds involved and the surname, given name, middle name or initial, and address of each person in whose name bonds were purchased. The following table shows the period during which various series of bonds were sold.
| Government Bond Series | Period Bond Offered |
|---|---|
| A | March 1935 through December 1935 |
| B | January 1936 through December 1936 |
| C | January 1937 through December 1938 |
| D | January 1939 through April 1941 |
| E | May 1941 through June 1980 |
| EE | January 1980 to present (ongoing) |
| F | May 1941 through April 1952 |
| G | May 1941 through April 1952 |
| H | June 1952 through December 1979 |
| HH | January 1980 to present (ongoing) |
| J | May 1952 through April 1957 |
| K | May 1952 through April 1957 |
FinCEN--an organization established by the Department of the Treasury--collects, analyzes, and disseminates intelligence on financial crimes. Its mission is to provide a governmentwide, multisource intelligence and analytical network to support law enforcement agencies in the detection, investigation, and prosecution of financial crimes. The participating agencies are the ATF, DEA, FBI, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Customs Service, USMS, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and U.S. Secret Service.
FinCEN uses the majority of its resources to assist agencies in their investigations of financial aspects of the illegal narcotics trade. FinCEN then prioritizes investigations of such nonnarcotic crimes as money laundering offenses, Bank Secrecy Act violations, and other offenses of a financial nature, e.g., tax and tariff violations; corruption; treason; and bankruptcy, financial institution, and government contract fraud. In both the narcotic and nonnarcotic areas, FinCEN concentrates on investigations of national or international criminal organizations.
FinCEN produces two types of products--tactical support and strategic analysis. Its tactical support reports either (1) provide information and leads on criminal organizations and activities that are under investigation by law enforcement organizations or (2) proactively identify previously undetected criminal organizations and activities so that investigations can be initiated. These FinCEN reports will assist agencies in identifying assets for seizure and forfeiture purposes and in supporting ongoing investigations. During its strategic analyses, FinCEN collects, processes, analyzes, and develops intelligence on the merging trends, patterns, and issues related to activities such as financial crimes and money laundering.
FinCEN's financial database has information from reports that are required to be filed under the Bank Secrecy Act, including the Currency Transaction Report, Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments, Currency Transaction Report by Casinos, and Reports of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts. Furthermore, FinCEN has access to data from Internal Revenue Service Form 8300 (Reports of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received in a Trade or Business).
FinCEN can be contacted at (800) SOS-BUCK (767-2825) or (703) 905-3520.
FMS reconciles all government checks paid by the U.S. Treasury and processes all subsequent claims of forgery and non-receipt. It maintains photocopies of canceled U.S. government checks. However, original checks that have been determined to be forgeries are maintained by the U.S. Secret Service, also a Treasury bureau. When information must be obtained for the issuing disbursing office, the investigation may be expedited by asking that office to obtain the photocopy of the original check. In lieu of the original check, FMS' Check Claims Branch can provide a certified microfilm copy of the check which is recognized and accepted in most courts of law. FMS charges a nominal fee for providing check copies.
There are two distinct law enforcement functions within the IRS: the Criminal Investigation Division and Internal Security.
The Criminal Investigation Division investigates allegations of violations of the Internal Revenue Code as it relates to income tax, the Bank Secrecy Act, and money laundering statutes. The division's special agents possess financial investigative abilities that enable them to solve crimes by following the money trail. Armed with these financial investigative skills and clearly defined statutory jurisdiction, this IRS division works closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement organizations to solve crimes such as public corruption, telemarketing fraud, health care fraud, income tax evasion, and those that are narcotics-related.
IRS Internal Security inspectors work for the Chief Inspector. Their mission is to protect the integrity of the IRS, its system, and its employees. They do this by investigating allegations of attempts to bribe IRS employees and allegations of employee misconduct.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency regulates national banks and maintains information concerning them. National bank examinations are made to determine banks' financial positions and to evaluate bank assets. Bank examiners' reports contain information about bank records, loans, and operations.
In view of their purpose and the basis on which they are obtained, reports of national bank examinations and related correspondence and papers are considered confidential. Requests for these documents should include the subject's name and address, the information desired, the reason it is needed, and the intended use.
Customs retains the following data:
Customs' Office of Investigations investigates alleged violations of import and export practices. The office's special agents participate in the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.
See chapter 4 for information on the Treasury Enforcement Communications System, which is managed by Customs.
The Secret Service is responsible for investigating the counterfeiting of currency and securities; forgery and altering of government checks and bonds; thefts and fraud relating to Treasury electronic funds transfers; financial access, telecommunications, computer, and telemarketing fraud; fraud concerning federally insured financial institutions; and other criminal and noncriminal cases.
The Secret Service investigates financial systems crimes, including bank fraud; access device fraud; telemarketing and telecommunications fraud (cellular and hard wire); computer fraud; crimes involving automated payment systems, teller machines, and direct deposits; forgery; alteration, false personation, or false claims involving U.S. Treasury checks, U.S. savings bonds, U.S. Treasury notes, bonds, and bills. The Secret Service also investigates electronic funds transfers, including Treasury disbursements and fraud within Treasury payment systems; fraud involving U.S. Department of Agriculture food coupons and Authority to Participate cards; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation investigations; Farm Credit Administration violations; and fraud and related activity in connection with identification and seizure. Further, the Secret Service coordinates the activities of the U.S. Secret Service Organized Crimes Program and oversees money laundering investigations.
The Secret Service has concurrent jurisdiction with DOJ to investigate fraud against any federally insured financial institution. Agents of the Secret Service review thousands of criminal referrals submitted by Department of the Treasury regulators.
The Secret Service maintains records pertaining to counterfeit, forgery, and U.S. security violation cases. The Secret Service's central files in Washington, D.C. contain about 100,000 handwriting specimens from known forgers. An electronic information retrieval system facilitates the comparison of questioned handwriting with the examples on file, for identification purposes.
As part of the 1995 Crime Bill, Congress mandated the Secret Service to provide forensic/technical assistance--to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, the Morgan P. Hardiman Task Force, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children--in matters involving missing and sexually exploited children. Much of the forensic assistance is used in the United States by the Secret Service's Forensic Services Division. The forensic technology allows the document examiner to scan and digitize text and writings, and later search that material against previously recorded writings. As a result, Secret Service created a national handwriting repository for comparison purposes for handwritten letters in these types of cases.
The Forensic Services Division also operates a hybrid Automated Fingerprint Identification System, the largest of its kind, which is composed of remote latent fingerprint terminals providing connection to fingerprint databases with access to more than 25 million fingerprints. Division staff can search latent fingerprints, developed in cases involving missing and sexually exploited children, through this system for identification purposes.
Other services offered by this program are polygraph consultation or assistance; photographic, graphic, age progression/regression; and voice and image enhancement technology.
VA retains records of loans, tuition payments, insurance payments, and nonrestricted medical data related to disability pensions. These records are available at regional offices in several specific large metropolitan areas throughout the country. The data, including photocopies, may be obtained by writing or visiting the appropriate regional office.
All requests should include a statement covering the need and intended use of the information. The statement should clearly identify the veteran and, if available, include the veteran's VA claim number, date of birth, branch of service, and enlistment and discharge dates.
The relationship between banks and their customers is confidential and privileged. Generally, information from banks may be obtained only by subpoena. The release of information may be subject to the Right to Financial Privacy Act (12 U.S.C. 3401-3422).
The following types of records and information are available from banks.
Ex-Im Bank is an independent U.S. government agency that helps finance the overseas sales of U.S. goods and services. Its mission is to create jobs through exports. It provides guarantees of working capital loans for U.S. exporters and it guarantees the repayment of loans or makes loans to foreign purchasers of U.S. goods and services. Ex-Im Bank maintains information about U.S exporters and foreign buyers who are in good standing or who have defaulted on payments.
The Farm Credit Administration is the independent federal regulator responsible for examining and ensuring the safety and soundness of all Farm Credit System institutions. The agency is funded by the lending institutions it regulates. The Farm Credit System is a nationwide financial cooperative that lends to agriculture and rural America, providing more than $60 billion in loans to some 500,000 borrowers, including farmers, ranchers, rural homeowners, agricultural cooperatives, rural utility systems, and agribusinesses.
FDIC is a federally chartered corporation with two major functions: (1) to determine the safety and soundness of financial institutions and (2) to solve the problems created by insolvent institutions and recover funds through the management and ultimate sale of the institutions' assets. FDIC maintains information on FDIC-regulated banks and failed FDIC-insured banks, including their ownership and officers, the identities of loan borrowers, and previous investigations. In addition, FDIC is the successor organization and custodian of records for the former Resolution Trust Corporation, a similarly chartered corporation that liquidated the assets of failed savings institutions from August 1989 until December 31, 1995.
FDIC-insured banks and FDIC savings associations are examined periodically by FDIC examiners. Each examination includes an appraisal of management, directors, officers, and staff. The reports of examination contain an alphabetical list of all directors, officers, and principal employees. The examiner also comments on the capabilities of each individual, gives his/her approximate age, and cites other business affiliations. Additionally, the examiner completes a form on each individual, setting forth his/her estimated net worth, par value of stock owned, and salary.
Inquiries regarding types of records available to the public (including records available under the Freedom of Information Act) should be directed to the appropriate FDIC regional office or to the Office of the Executive Secretary, which can be contacted at (202) 898-3687.
The Federal Reserve System is a valuable source of information on banks and bank holding companies. The Federal Reserve has supervisory responsibility over domestic and international operations of all member banks, Edge Act and agreement corporations, U.S.-bank holding companies, and over many of the U.S. activities of foreign banking organizations. The Federal Reserve conducts joint examinations with state agencies or alternates annual examinations with those agencies and cooperates with the states in other areas to reduce duplication and overlap in the examination and supervision of state-chartered banks.
The examination of a depository institution generally entails (1) an appraisal of the soundness of the institution's assets; (2) an evaluation of internal operations, policies, and management; (3) an analysis of key financial factors such as capital, earnings, liquidity, and interest rate sensitivity; (4) a review for compliance with all banking laws and regulations; and (5) an overall determination of the institution's solvency. In addition to these examinations for the general safety and soundness of state member banks and bank holding companies, the Federal Reserve conducts special examinations of state member banks in certain areas such as consumer affairs; activities of trust departments, stock transfer agents, and municipal securities dealers; and electronic data processing. The Federal Reserve also is the primary supervisor for bank holding companies.
In addition to quarterly reports on condition (which are available to the public), banks and bank holding companies examination reports may be requested for official agency use under the Federal Reserve Board of Governor's rules regarding availability of information.
NCUA regulates, insures, and supervises all federal credit unions, as well as state-chartered credit unions that apply for its insurance. NCUA has two reporting requirements: federally insured credit unions with more than $50 million in assets must file quarterly reports and those with assets totalling less than $50 million must file semiannually.
CFTC maintains the following information:
The National Futures Association, a self-regulatory organization authorized by the Commodity Exchange Act, operates under the supervision of the CFTC and is a one-stop information source for registration and disciplinary information regarding firms and individuals in the futures industry. This information includes registration status and employment history; disciplinary actions filed by the association, the CFTC, and the commodity exchanges; and customer complaints filed under the CFTC's reparations program. The association's information center can be contacted at (800) 621-3570 or, in Illinois, at (312) 781-1410.
FCC regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. It investigates and studies all phases of communication problems and the best methods of obtaining the cooperation and coordination of radio and wire communication systems, including those relative to police, fire, and forestry.
The FCC staff is organized, by function, into six operating bureaus: Mass Media, Cable Services, Common Carrier, Compliance and Information, Wireless Telecommunications, and International. The various bureaus maintain data on licensees and users of communication frequencies that include the licensing of radio/telephone circuits and their assigned frequencies for operations.
The Federal Maritime Commission investigates applicants for licenses to engage in oceangoing freight-forwarding activities. Applicants provide information to the Commission covering many aspects of their history, including the names and residences of all corporate officers and directors, names of partnership members or individual proprietors, names of direct holders of five percent or more of company stock, names of stockholders with beneficial interest in shipments moving in U.S. foreign export commerce, and employment history of license applicants.
GSA has considerable information on architects, engineers, personal property auctioneers, real estate appraisers, construction contractors, sales brokers, and businesses that contract with GSA. GSA also maintains a computerized List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Nonprocurement Programs.
See chapter 4 for discussions on the List and the Federal Procurement Data Center.
Over 85 percent of NASA's multibillion dollar budget goes to NASA's contractors. Procurement files maintained by its procurement office contain information about individual firms and their employees.
NASA requires that contractors submit with the proposals their qualifications and resumes of the personnel who will be directly assigned to the project. The resumes should include each person's educational background, work experience, length of service with the firm, and work projects.
The National Archives and Records Administration operates federal records centers throughout the country, including the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, and the Office of the Federal Register in Washington, D.C. It also operates regional archives and the presidential libraries.
The Federal Register is the medium for notifying the public of official agency actions; all federal regulations must be published in it. The Office of the Federal Register provides a periodic workshop on the use of the Federal Register as an information source. A handbook on the uses of the Federal Register is also available. For information, call (202) 523-5240.
Amtrak maintains information on passengers' reservation histories, method of payment, and dates of travel; the railroad industry; railroad contractors, subcontractors, and vendors; and train routes and schedules.
Amtrak police have access to records of all Amtrak employees. To contact Amtrak police regarding the Amtrak National Communications Center or investigation and police report records, call 1-800-331-0008.
NRC regulates commercial nuclear power reactors; nonpower research reactors; fuel-cycle facilities; medical, academic, and industrial uses of nuclear materials; and the transport, storage, and disposal of nuclear materials and waste. NRC also maintains applications and licenses of persons and companies that export nuclear material and equipment from the United States.
SEC maintains public records of corporations with stock and securities sold to the public. These records include the following:
SEC maintains files on individuals and firms that have been reported to it as having violated federal or state securities laws. The information contained in these files pertains to official actions taken against such persons and firms, including denials, refusals, suspensions, and revocations of registrations; injunctions, fraud orders, stop orders, and cease and desist orders; and arrests, indictments, convictions, sentences, and other official actions.
The Securities and Exchange Commission Summary lists the changes in beneficial ownership by officers, directors, and principal stockholders of securities listed and registered on a national securities exchange or those relating to public utility companies and certain closed-end investment companies.
Copies of the documents maintained by SEC are available at its regional or branch offices in the following cities: Atlanta, Georgia; Miami, Florida; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; St. Louis, Missouri; Denver, Colorado; Salt Lake City, Utah; Fort Worth, Texas; Los Angeles, California; San Francisco, California; New York, New York; Seattle, Washington; Washington, D.C.; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Corporate filings include the following:
See chapter 4 for information on SEC's Securities Information Center.
SBA guarantees loans made by commercial lenders to eligible small businesses; makes loans to businesses and individuals following federally-declared disasters; and licenses investment companies to provide venture capital to eligible small businesses. SBA also (1) connects small firms owned by socially and economically disadvantaged Americans with contracts set aside by other federal agencies and (2) seeks to increase federal contract opportunities for small businesses in general. SBA-guaranteed loans are made by private-sector lenders, with SBA promising to reimburse a specified percentage of any amount lost by the lender. By law, the amount of SBA's guaranty under its most popular and least restricted lending program is limited to $750,000 and the loan maturity to 25 years.
SBA may be the best source of financial and other information about the small businesses (and their principals) to which it provides assistance; many of them are exempt from public disclosure laws because of their smallness. Records on businesses and individuals that have received SBA assistance are maintained by the division that administers the program involved. The local SBA district office maintains most records. Contact the local office of SBA's Office of Inspector General, Investigations Division, for assistance in obtaining records and other information.
SSA retains original applications for social security numbers. Applications list an applicant's name (maiden and married names for a female), birthdate, birthplace, sex, race, parents' names, and address at time of application.
The first three digits of a social security number indicate its assigned area of issuance. The following table lists the states and their assigned social security numbers. (Note that some states and Puerto Rico have more than one series of numbers.)
| Number(s)a | Areab | Number(s)a | Areab |
|---|---|---|---|
| 001-003 | New Hampshire | 425-428, 587, 588c | Mississippi |
| 004-007 | Maine | 429-432, 676-679c | Arkansas |
| 008-009 | Vermont | 433-439, 659-665c | Louisiana |
| 010-034 | Massachusetts | 440-448 | Oklahoma |
| 035-039 | Rhode Island | 449-467, 627-645 | Texas |
| 040-049 | Connecticut | 468-477 | Minnesota |
| 050-134 | New York | 478-485 | Iowa |
| 135-158 | New Jersey | 486-500 | Missouri |
| 159-211 | Pennsylvania | 501-502 | North Dakota |
| 212-220 | Maryland | 503-504 | South Dakota |
| 221-222 | Delaware | 505-508 | Nebraska |
| 223-231, 691-699c | Virginia | 509-515 | Kansas |
| 232 - 236 | West Virginia | 516-517 | Montana |
| 232, 237-246 | North Carolina | 518-519 | Idaho |
| 247-251, 654-658c | South Carolina | 520 | Wyoming |
| 252-260, 667-675c | Georgia | 521-524, 650-653 | Colorado |
| 261-267, 589-595 | Florida | 525, 585, 648-649 | New Mexico |
| 268-302 | Ohio | 526-527 | Arizona |
| 303-317 | Indiana | 525-529, 646-647 | Utah |
| 318-361 | Illinois | 530, 680c | Nevada |
| 362-386 | Michigan | 531-539 | Washington |
| 387-399 | Wisconsin | 540-544 | Oregon |
| 400-407 | Kentucky | 545-573, 602-626 | California |
| 408-415, 756-763c | Tennessee | 574 | Alaska |
| 416-424 | Alabama | 575-576, 750-751c | Hawaii |
| 577-579 | District of Columbia | 586 | American Samoa |
| 580 | Virgin Islands | 586 | Northern Mariana Islands |
| 580-584, 596-599 | Puerto Rico | 586, 617 | Philippine Islands |
| 586 | Guam | 700-728d | Railroad Board |
a Any number beginning with 000 will never be a valid social security number.
b When an area is shown more than once, it means that either (1) certain numbers have been transferred from one state to another or (2) an area has been divided for use among certain geographic locations.
c New areas allocated, but not yet issued.
d Issuance of these numbers to railroad employees was discontinued July 1, 1963.
The U.S. Postal Service maintains the names and addresses of post office box holders and change of address information. It can verify that an individual is receiving mail at a particular address.
Requests for photocopies of postal money orders may be made through the local office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Information concerning the mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and fax numbers of U.S. Postal Inspection Service offices nationwide is available on the U.S. Postal Inspection Service home page on the World Wide Web.
Information concerning missing U.S. and Canadian money order forms, counterfeit Canadian money order forms, and Invalid Express Mail Accounts can be found on the U.S. Postal Service home page on the World Wide Web.
The Postal Inspection Service, through the Judicial Officer, is empowered under 39 U.S.C. 3005 to issue false presentation orders and cease and desist orders in cases where the mail is being used to obtain money from the public by means of false and fraudulent statements. The orders (1) require mail to be returned to the sender, (2) forbid payment of postal money orders connected to the scheme, (3) require the return of money to those who purchased the money orders, and (4) require that cited schemes cease.
Postal regulations require commercial mail-receiving agencies to complete a PS Form 1583, Application for Delivery of Mail Through an Agent. The data from that form, which includes personal identification information and references for a specific individual, can be made available to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and fax numbers of Postal Inspection Service offices nationwide are available on the World Wide Web.
GAO's World Wide Web home page provides access to recent GAO audit products and Comptroller General decisions, as well as information on how to order paper copies of both recent and older GAO products. In addition, GAO audit products from fiscal year 1995 forward and recent decisions are available in electronic form at the Government Printing Office's Internet site. GAO products, including those not available on the Internet, may also be ordered by calling (202) 512-6000 or TDD (301) 413-0006.
GPO produces and procures printed and electronic publications for the Congress and federal departments and establishments. It prepares catalogs and distributes and sells government publications in printed and electronic formats. Electronic databases prepared for printing are premastered for CD-ROM replication and are used to provide on-line access.
GPO sells--through mail orders and government bookstores--approximately 20,000 different printed and electronic publications that originate in various government agencies. Orders and inquiries concerning publications and subscriptions for sale should be mailed to Superintendent of Documents, GPO, Washington, D.C. 20402 or called in to (202) 512-1800. GPO also administers the depository library program through which selected government publications are made available, free of charge, in approximately 1,400 libraries throughout the country.
The GPO Access service provides on-line access to key publications of the federal government, including the Congressional Record and the Federal Register, through the Internet. For information about this service, contact the GPO Access support team at (202) 512-1530.
The federal court system has three basic levels: the Supreme Court of the United States, the U.S. Courts of Appeals (by circuits), and the U.S. District Courts.
The U.S. District Court has exclusive jurisdiction in bankruptcy, maritime and admiralty, patents, copyright penalties, fines under federal law, and proceedings against consuls and vice consuls of foreign states. In addition, it has jurisdiction when the United States or a national bank is a party and when the law specifically states that the U.S. District Court has original jurisdiction.
In addition, some special courts, such as the following, handle specific matters.
The table below lists federal courts throughout the United States and their postal addresses.
| Location | Postal Address |
|---|---|
| COURTS OF APPEAL | |
| Federal Circuit (United States) |
Washington, D.C. 20439 |
| District of Columbia Circuit (District of Columbia) |
Washington, D.C. 20001 |
| First Circuit (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Puerto Rico) |
Boston, MA 02109 |
| Second Circuit (Connecticut, New York, and Vermont) |
New York, NY 10007 |
| Third Circuit (Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Virgin Islands) |
Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
| Fourth Circuit (Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia) |
Richmond, VA 23219 |
| Fifth Circuit (Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas) |
New Orleans, LA 70130 |
| Sixth Circuit (Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee) |
Cincinnati, OH 45202 |
| Seventh Circuit (Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin) |
Chicago, IL 60604 |
| Eighth Circuit (Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota) |
St. Louis, MO 63101 |
| Ninth Circuit (Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands) |
San Francisco, CA 94102 |
| Tenth Circuit (Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming) |
Denver, CO 80294 |
| Eleventh Circuit (Alabama, Florida, and Georgia) |
Atlanta, GA 30303 |
| DISTRICT COURTS | |
| Alabama Northern District Middle District Southern District |
Birmingham, AL 35203 Montgomery, AL 36101 Mobile, AL 36602 |
| Alaska | Anchorage, AK 99513 |
| Arizona | Phoenix, AZ 85025 |
| Arkansas Eastern District Western District |
Little Rock, AR 72203 Fort Smith, AR 72902 |
| California Northern District Eastern District Central District Southern District |
San Francisco, CA 94102 Sacramento, CA 95814 Los Angeles, CA 90012 San Diego, CA 92101 |
| Colorado | Denver, CO 80294 |
| Connecticut | New Haven, CT 06510 |
| Delaware | Wilmington, DE 19801 |
| District of Columbia | Washington, DC 20001 |
| Florida Northern District Middle District Southern District |
Tallahassee, FL 32301 Jacksonville, FL 32201 Miami, FL 33128 |
| Georgia Northern District Middle District Southern District |
Atlanta, GA 30303 Macon, GA 31202 Savannah, GA 31412 |
| Guam | Agana, GU 96910 |
| Hawaii | Honolulu, HI 96850 |
| Idaho | Boise, ID 83724 |
| Illinois Northern District Southern District Central District |
Chicago, IL 60604 East St. Louis, IL 62202 Springfield, IL 62701 |
| Indiana Northern District Southern District |
South Bend, IN 46601 Indianapolis, IN 46204 |
| Iowa Northern District Southern District |
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Des Moines, IA 50309 |
| Kansas | Wichita, KS 67202 |
| Kentucky Eastern District Western District |
Lexington, KY 40596 Louisville, KY 40202 |
| Louisiana Eastern District Middle District Western District |
New Orleans, LA 70130 Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Shreveport, LA 71101 |
| Maine | Portland, ME 04101 |
| Maryland | Baltimore, MD 21201 |
| Massachusetts | Boston, MA 02109 |
| Michigan Eastern District Western District |
Detroit, MI 48226 Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Minnesota | St. Paul, MN 55101 |
| Mississippi Northern District Southern District |
Oxford, MS 38655 Jackson, MS 39201 |
| Missouri Eastern District Western District |
St. Louis, MO 63101 Kansas City, MO 64106 |
| Montana | Billings, MT 59101 |
| Nebraska | Omaha, NE 68101 |
| Nevada | Las Vegas, NV 89101 |
| New Hampshire | Concord, NH 03301 |
| New Jersey | Newark, NJ 07102 |
| New Mexico | Albuquerque, NM 87103 |
| New York Northern District Eastern District Southern District Western District |
Syracuse, NY 13261 Brooklyn, NY 11201 New York, NY 10007 Buffalo, NY 14202 |
| North Carolina Eastern District Middle District Western District |
Raleigh, NC 27611 Greensboro, NC 27402 Asheville, NC 28801 |
| North Dakota | Bismarck, ND 58502 |
| Northern Mariana Islands | Saipan, N. Mar. I. 96950 |
| Ohio Northern District Southern District |
Cleveland, OH 44114 Columbus, OH 43215 |
| Oklahoma Northern District Eastern District Western District |
Tulsa, OK 74103 Muskogee, OK 74402 Oklahoma City, OK 73102 |
| Oregon | Portland, OR 97205 |
| Pennsylvania Eastern District Middle District Western District |
Philadelphia, PA 19106 Scranton, PA 18501 Pittsburgh, PA 15230 |
| Puerto Rico | Hato Rey, PR 00918 |
| Rhode Island | Providence, RI 02903 |
| South Carolina | Columbia, SC 29201 |
| South Dakota | Sioux Falls, SD 57102 |
| Tennessee Eastern District Middle District Western District |
Knoxville, TN 37901 Nashville, TN 37203 Memphis, TN 38103 |
| Texas Northern District Southern District Eastern District Western District |
Dallas, TX 75242 Houston, TX 77208 Tyler, TX 75702 San Antonio, TX 78206 |
| Utah | Salt Lake City, UT 84101 |
| Vermont | Burlington, VT 05402 |
| Virgin Islands | St. Thomas, VI 00801 |
| Virginia Eastern District Western District |
Alexandria, VA 22320 Roanoke, VA 24006 |
| Washington Eastern District Western District |
Spokane, WA 99210 Seattle, WA 98104 |
| West Virginia Northern District Southern District |
Elkins, WV 26241 Charleston, WV 25329 |
| Wisconsin Eastern District Western District |
Milwaukee, WI 53202 Madison, WI 53701 |
| Wyoming | Cheyenne, WY 82001 |
The Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, created offices of Inspector General at federal agencies. Also, some legislative branch agencies, such as GAO, have established offices of inspector general. Their mission is to increase the economy and efficiency of agency programs and decrease fraud, waste, and abuse in federal departments, agencies, and designated entities. Offices of inspector general are sources of information about businesses and related individuals they have investigated or audited. Most offices of inspector general maintain centralized index and case file systems. IGnet, hosted by SBA, provides centralized Internet access to information about the federal inspectors general and links to related Internet sites. The following table lists inspectors general and
| Federal Entity/Mailing Addressa | Telephone Number | Fax Number | Hotline Number(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agency for International Development 320 21st Street, N.W., Room 5756NS Washington, D.C. 20523 |
(202) 647-7844 |
(202) 647-5948 | (800) 230-6539 (703) 875-4999 |
| Agriculture, Department of 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. Room 117-W Washington, D.C. 20250-2301 |
(202) 720-8001 | (202) 690-1278 | (800) 424-9121 (202) 690-1622 Hearing Impaired (202) 690-1202 |
| Amtrak 400 North Capitol Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001-1511 |
(202) 906-4600 | (202) 906-4564 | (800) 468-5469 |
| Appalachian Regional Commission 1666 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Room 215 Washington, D.C. 20235 |
(202) 884-7675 | (202) 884-7691 | (800) 532-4611 (202) 884-7667 |
| Central Intelligence Agency Washington, D.C. 20505 |
(703) 874-2553 | (703) 734-9649 | None |
| Commerce, Department of Room 7898C 14th & Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20230-0002 |
(202) 482-4661 | (202) 482-0567 | (800) 424-5197 (202) 482-2497 Hearing Impaired (800) 854-8407 |
| Commodity Futures Trading Commission 3 Lafayette Centre 1155 21st St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20581 |
(202) 418-5110 | (202) 418-5522 | (202) 418-5510 |
| Consumer Product Safety Commission 4330 East West Highway Bethesda, MD 20814-4408 |
(301) 504-0573 | (301) 504-0107 | (301) 504-0573 |
| Corporation for National Service 1201 New York Avenue, N.W. Suite 8100 Washington, D.C. 20525 |
(202) 606-5000 ext. 445 |
(202) 565-2795 | (800) 452-8210 |
| Corporation for Public Broadcasting 901 E Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20004-2037 |
(202) 879-9669 | (202) 737-2902 | (800) 599-2170 (202) 783-5408 |
| Defense, Department of 400 Army Navy Drive Arlington, VA 22202-2884 |
(703) 604-8300 | (703) 604-8310 | (800) 424-9098 |
| Education, Department of 600 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20202-1510 |
(202) 205-5439 | (202) 260-3821 | (800) 647-8733 (202) 205-5770 |
| Energy, Department of 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20585 |
(202) 586-4393 | (202) 586-0948 | (800) 541-1625 (202) 586-4073 |
| Environmental Protection Agency 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 |
(202) 260-3137 | (202) 260-0711 | (202) 260-4977 |
| Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 1801 L Street, N.W., Room 3001 Washington, D.C. 20507 |
(202) 663-4379 | (202) 663-7204 | (800) 849-4230 (202) 663-7020 |
| Farm Credit Administration 1501 Farm Credit Drive McLean, VA 22102-5090 |
(703) 883-4030 | (703) 883-4059 | (800) 437-7322 (703) 883-4316 |
| Federal Communications Commission 1919 M Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 |
(202) 418-0470 | (202) 418-2811 | (888) 863-2244 (202) 418-0473 |
| Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 801 17th Street, N.W., Room 1096 Washington, D.C. 20434-0001 |
(202) 416-2026 | (202) 416-2906 | (800) 964-3342 |
| Federal Election Commission 999 E Street, N.W., Room 940 Washington, D.C. 20463-0001 |
(202) 219-4267 | (202) 501-8134 | (202) 219-4267 |
| Federal Emergency Management Agency 500 C Street, S.W., Room 825 Washington, D.C. 20472-0001 |
(202) 646-3910 | (202) 646-3298 | (800) 323-8603 |
| Federal Housing Finance Board 1777 F Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006-5210 |
(202) 408-2544 | (202) 408-2972 | (800) 276-8329 (202) 408-2900 |
| Federal Labor Relations Authority 607 14th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20424-0001 |
(202) 482-6570 | (202) 482-6573 | (800) 331-3572 (202) 482-6570 |
| Federal Maritime Commission 800 North Capitol Street, N.W. Room 1072 Washington, D.C. 20573-0001 |
(202) 523-5863 | (202) 566-0043 | (202) 523-5865 |
| Federal Reserve Board 20th and Constitution A |