Qui tam actions, as mentioned in whistleblower protections, are actions brought under which law?

• A. Health Care Fraud Statute
• B. Consumer Protection Act
• C. False Claims Act
• D. Federal Anti-Fraud Act

Answer: (C)

Qui tam actions come from the False Claims Act. This federal law lets private individuals, known as relators or whistleblowers, sue on behalf of the United States when they believe someone submitted fraudulent claims to federal programs. The government can choose to intervene, and if the case is successful, the relator receives a portion of the recovered funds. The act is specifically designed to encourage reporting of fraud against the government and to provide strong remedies, including treble damages and civil penalties. Other labeled statutes don’t authorize the qui tam mechanism, so they aren’t the correct source of these actions.