Anonymous reports can be submitted by post, telephone or using the BKMS® System. There are many reasons why it is preferable to submit information anonymously, the most important one being the whistleblower’s uncertain legal position. Unfortunately, in Germany whistleblowers are still not protected against consequences related to labor laws.
The BKMS® System, therefore, allows the whistleblower’s anonymity to be protected if necessary. Those who do not fear reprisals may reveal their identity if they wish.
Whistleblowing means that those working in a company or an administrative authority are able to point out real or credulous risks, irregularities and legal violations that could harm the specific company or the public at large so that corrective measures against these risks can be taken. When a report is submitted that denounces a person (i.e. information submitted against whistleblower’s better judgment) the anonymous dialogue conducted via the BKMS® System helps to recognize such denunciations quickly, something that is not possible with other systems.
Denunciation is a "by-product" of all anonymous whistleblowing systems, and also occurs in letters and on telephone hotlines. Because the BKMS® System allows dialogues to be conducted, these kinds of reports are easily recognized. Experience shows that the structured reporting of information regarding specific topics scares off informers! Routine filters within the BKMS® System automatically reject reports concerning certain topics. In one year of using the BKMS® Systems, the percent of denunciatory reports at German Telekom was just 0,3%; the percent of such reports at the State Office of Criminal Investigation Lower Saxony for the last five years has consistently been minute. Studies show that 87% of the anonymous reports obtained using the whistleblower system are relevant.
In contrast to one-way communication paths, such as letters and telephone hotlines, when using the BKMS® System the credibility of anonymous reports can be verified before investigations are begun so that an examiner’s further inquiries can exclude denunciations before problems are created by initial investigations.
Additionally, the Sarbanes Oxley Act legally requires the possibility of anonymous contact, for instance for German companies that are listed on US stock exchanges.
A judge remarked: "It has been stated that, in the sector of so-called personal gains crime in which corruption is to be expected because of a lack of damaged individuals who would be interested in instigating criminal proceedings, it is difficult to obtain information about relevant criminal behavior. Particularly with cases concerning corruption crime, many whistleblowers are often (initially) reluctant to reveal personal information but prefer to file anonymous reports for fear of person reprisals (whistleblower complex).Traditional anonymous accusations, however, are usually curt and often do not provide truly sufficient clues regarding relevant criminal behavior. From this point of view, the BKMS® System is an improvement because, thanks to the possibility of a dialogue with the whistleblower, new avenues of gaining information become available. This is the fundamental and essential innovation of the system, although it must be remembered that the verification of anonymously filed accusations, regardless of how the criminal prosecution authorities obtain them, must always be handled cautiously."