SARASOTA COUNTY — In the wake of Sarasota County’s procurement scandal last year, a new hotline is now available to the public and county government employees to report suspected fraud, waste and abuse. The new toll-free fraud hotline number is 855-506-0304. People who call are led through voice-prompted instructions and can speak to a person anytime, including holidays.

“We must do everything we can to prevent fraud, waste and abuse in county government,” County Administrator Randall Reid said in a statement. “The hotline also provides a way for the public and employees to anonymously report suspected fraud without any retaliation.”