A WhistleBlower hotline is a very effective way of providing information to the authorities while protecting one's identity. In most countries, such channels of communications have been made available to the public. A person will become an informer for various reasons, such as misconduct or dishonest behavior or a threat to public interest.

Historically, the first law to protect informers came about in 1863 during the Civil War. The False Claims Act was implemented to combat fraudulent behavior that was prevalent from suppliers of the government at the time. Today, the very same Act is in place but it has been renamed to the Whistle Blower's Act which was revised and amended during 1986.

This Act is a protection for informers so that their identities are kept confidential in every possible way. Other means of informer protection had been included in the Act. Companies and the Government have specific channels of communication purely for people who wish to inform a figure of authority of illegal activity that another person or people have committed.

Many feel that informers have self-serving motives when blowing the whistle on someone else because it is viewed negatively. Another description of an informer would be a "snitch", someone who wants some fame and glory in pointing the finger at someone else. The Whistle Blowing Act that is in place is to protect an informer from retaliation when something like that should occur.

These specific channels are especially available in the various departments of the government. People are encouraged to use the line of communication so that they can be of assistance to enforcers of the law. They are encouraged to inform the communication network to report on violations of the law that affect the health and welfare of citizens. They are encouraged to inform the network of mismanagement, misappropriation of funds and neglect of duty.

In many parts of the world, informers are persecuted in the extreme. At corporations for example, retaliation can be dealt out in various forms such as harsh treatment, demotions or employment termination. If someone does step forward and undergo the informing process, they will always do so with fear of unforeseen circumstances such as a bad reaction from workmates and ostracism.

If someone informs on an illegal incident that was witnessed, they could face more serious consequences. Should the perpetrator find out whom the informer was, the informer could be in serious danger. Not only are illegal acts reported on but the identity of an informer is protected if the line of communication is utilized.

The Act and a WhistleBlower hotline are in place for the purpose of protection and detection. The identity of an informer will only be revealed if there is a clear and present danger to the public or during the course of an investigation. Then further steps are taken to protect the individual. If one witnesses anything that is in contravention of the law, the government strongly advises that they report it using one of these lines of communication so that the police can investigate and eventually ensure that justice is done.