Government employees and citizens alike can now anonymously report fraud, waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars to the Tennessee Comptroller's Office over a secure, online connection.

Since 1983, the Comptroller’s office has received more than 17,000 calls on its toll-free telephone hotline for reporting misuse of government funds and property.

In the 2012 legislative session, the Tennessee General Assembly expanded the Advocacy for Honest and Appropriate Government Spending Act to add the online tool.

“This is another tool to help ensure that public money is being spent properly in Tennessee," explained Comptroller Justin Wilson .

People who use the site will be asked to share as much detail as possible about their allegations, including file attachments with supporting documentation.

Information received over the Internet will then be referred to the appropriate agencies or departments when warranted.

A Tennessee based construction contractor has pleaded guilty to four counts of workers compensation fraud.

Mike Nobles admitted he put employees on construction jobs and concealed them from workers' compensation insurance companies.

Nobles will spend 10 years on probation and weekends in jail for a year.

An evolving scam will have you guarding your name and e-mail address as closely as you protect your Social Security and account numbers.

Paul Stephens, director of policy and advocacy for the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, warned consumers about 'spear phishing.'

"Spear phishing is when a criminal sends you an email that sounds and looks like it’s from a company you have an existing relationship with," Stephens said. "For example, a spear-phishing message might address you by name. 

"A message may look something like this: 'Hello Ms. Anderson, Because of the recent hacking incident affecting some Acme customers, we are asking you to visit this website [URL provided] and update your security settings.' The email will try to convince you to bite on the bait and go to that website, and then divulge other information like your Social Security number and credit card number."