Anonymous Reporting Best Practices

Why anonymity matters

Reporting wrongdoing can put you at risk of retaliation—from dismissal and demotion to harassment and isolation. Anonymous reporting:

Reduces the chance that you will be identified and targeted
Lets you share what you know without having to reveal your identity to your employer or others
Can make it easier to report when internal channels feel unsafe or biased

Many whistleblower laws protect only certain types of disclosures; anonymity can provide an extra layer of protection when you are unsure or when you want to minimize exposure.

Risks of non-anonymous reporting

If you report using your name, email, or work account:

Your identity may be shared with people who could retaliate or influence the response
Emails and metadata can reveal who you are and when you reported
Work devices and networks may be monitored or subject to discovery

If you need to stay anonymous, use a channel that does not require or store your identity, and follow basic digital hygiene (see below).

How to maintain anonymity

Digital hygiene

Use a private or incognito browser window so your activity is not saved in your normal history
Prefer a personal device and network (e.g., home) if you are concerned about work monitoring
Do not log into work accounts or use work email when submitting an anonymous report

What you write

Avoid details that could identify you (e.g., “I am the only person in X role,” or “I was in the meeting on Y date” if that narrows it down)
Stick to facts, dates, and evidence that investigators can verify without knowing your identity

Case number and follow-up

If you get a case number to check or update your report, treat it like a password: store it securely and only use it from a safe device and location. With EZ Report, you are never required to provide your name or email to create or access a report.

What makes a good anonymous report

Clear and factual: What happened, when, where, and who was involved (without revealing you if possible)
Specific: Enough detail for someone to follow up (documents, systems, witnesses)
Relevant: Focus on conduct that is illegal, against policy, or poses serious risk

You can add more information later. With EZ Report you can save a draft, add to it over time, and decide when (and whether) to send it to anyone.

How EZ Report ensures anonymity

EZ Report is designed for anonymous reporting: no registration, no required email or name. Your report is encrypted; we do not track you. You get a case number to look up or update your report—you control when and to whom it is sent. Start a report.