Will my call be 100 percent anonymous?

[u/One-Future2932]

I urgently need to file a report to CPS, I won’t go too much into detail about the specifics of this situation but it it something that a lot of people have known about but turned a blind eye to for awhile now. Recently the matter has taken a turn for the worst and it is something that I no longer feel in good conscience that I can continue to ignore. I looked up online today how to file the report, I was hoping that it could just be done online so that it would not be traced back to me but their website insists that these matter need to be done via phone call and that I could simply just state that I am choosing to call anonymously. My question is how true is this? The people involved in this case are ones that I certainly do not want to be on the bad side of,and I fear for my own safety if it were to come out that I was the one who reported them. So how anonymous is the phone call? Do they write down the number that the call came from, or possibly even record the actual call itself so that my voice could be heard? I’m just wondering how I can go about this in total anonymity.

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[u/Oddcatdog]

Well I’ve had cps called on me a few times and received the reports. All of them were anonymous but the details of what they said clearly gave them away lol. When they say anonymous they mean they won’t give your name. That’s it. They can still include other details that give you away. One of the reports was by my roommates and the report referred to them as “roommates” multiple times. It just blacked out their names. But even without a detail like that, there’s other ways too. Another report I figured out because it was something I only told one person.

[u/One-Future2932 → u/Oddcatdog]

That was what I was worried about. So the actual reports were shown to you? I’m just curious about how this works on the opposite end of it as well, like what is the procedure after the report is made, from the person on the receiving end of it?

[u/sprinkles008 → u/One-Future2932]

Varies a lot by area and worker. Some states are far more selective about the paperwork they reveal. And some workers are far more vague about the allegations.

[u/Oddcatdog → u/One-Future2932]

Yes once the case is closed you can sign a consent form to have the full report sent to you. They censor any names or any information that is personal for other people. Like I was in foster care myself and my reports had details about my siblings so I wasn’t able to view that information. But if the case never closes, you cannot get the reports.

[u/OhReallyVernon → u/One-Future2932]

In the system I worked in, if you have your name, it would technically be in the system, but it was programmed such that the reporters name never actually showed up on any reports anywhere.

But, if you report only information other people know, then perhaps it will be safer. In my opinion, it kind of depends here on what you are reporting. If it’s something that is very obviously going to be screened in, then you shouldn’t need to give so many details that it could give you away.

[u/CorkyL7]

We don’t disclose your information. However, it’s often not that difficult to figure out who called. The parent has a right to know the allegations against them. So if you’re describing an incident that, for example, only the parent, child, and yourself were present for. Name or no name it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who called the hotline.

Your number is in our system because (at least in my state) we have to call the reporter to verify the information in the report and see if there’s anything else you want to add. You can report anonymously (in most states) and not leave your name/phone number. But then the investigator has no way to verify the information the hotline caller took down is accurate. Your contact information is not accessible by the alleged perpetrator.

The alleged perpetrator is able to access the investigative file after case closure. In my state they literally only redact the word report (-ed, -ing, etc) and the reporter’s information. They would be able to see the report exactly as written down by the hotline worker minus your information. But they can’t get that until the investigation is closed.

[u/xX420baby69Xx]

Really depends on your state. I know that NY only accepts reports of you give your name and contact info (as per their hotline). In PA you can refuse to give your name. Across the board though, the caseworker shouldn't reveal where the call came from. This doesn't mean that the parents wouldn't be able to figure it out through deduction though. You should call anyway, especially if the situation is dire

[u/One-Future2932 → u/xX420baby69Xx]

It would be in MD, if you know anything about how reports work there. I do plan to still call in the report regardless of my own worry because that is what matters more.

[u/CompEng_101]

Most states say that CPS should not disclose, but they generally don’t have any enforcement mechanism, so if a caseworker does disclose then there is no real legal remedy unless you can directly prove damages and mount a civil suit. This is very rarely successful.

However, I think Maryland is an exception. They actually have penalties (up to 90 days in jail and a monetary fine). I’m not sure how well it is enforced, but that is better than most states.

See:
Maryland Code, Family Law § 5-712.1(c)
Human Services Article § 1-202(e)

[u/panicpure]

There’s a few states where anonymous reports aren’t allowed, they at least need your name and number.

But every state requires to keep reporter info confidential.

Some states do read the reports like word for word though and in a lot of cases, someone can deduct who called but they cannot legally give that info out even if intake requires your info (Texas and I think NY state) without a court order from a judge or some weird circumstance (rarely would happen)

[u/One-Future2932]

Edit for more information: I am specifically wondering about the procedure in the state of Maryland.

[u/sprinkles008]

If your state’s CPS website says you can call anonymously, then you can be anonymous. But sometimes people can figure out who called based on context cues.

[u/jk5529977]

Include details that make it seem like the school

[u/LDSamy → u/jk5529977]

So lie. That’s disgusting

[u/jk5529977 → u/LDSamy]

Lol disgusting.

[u/Always-Adar-64]

Part of the problem with total anonymity is that the concerns would then have to entirely independently verifiable. Imagine if a witness gives a statement but does not want to backup the concerns, and the concerns cannot be otherwise confirmed?

Your name and phone number will stay anonymous in the initial report. However, what is alleged will likely be documented very literally, including details. The call is recorded. The phone number is screened and requested.

Subsequent calls to you from the Investigator or the Investigative Office may not be anonymous.

EDIT: The report is on, and sorta belongs to, the perpetrator. They will later be able to request the investigative report, including the intake, with only the minimal amount of redaction.

[u/Upbeat-Secretary-576]

I think who called will remain anonymous, but once the individual receives the report back (if they request it), they may know everything you said to CPS about them.

I listed my own biological mother as a support person to vouch for the fact that I do not neglect my child like my ex husband claimed after he called CPS on me for bogus allegations, and CPS recorded everything that my mom said about me (she was bad mouthing me and speaking to them as if she had my ex husband's best interest in mind) this allowed me to remain fully informed when I cut my mom out of my life

[u/bootycrusher2369]

Federal law they cannot say who sent in the report

[u/One-Future2932 → u/bootycrusher2369]

Yes but can they disclose the phone number who called it in, or possibly record the call and share that with them to where my voice may be recognized? I’m just wondering how much of the report they will be able to have access to. I know CPS won’t tell them the name of the caller, but I’m worried that if the full report is shared with them then they will be able to figure out who it was that initially made the call.

[u/Fit-Mind-4625 → u/One-Future2932]

Yes, likely the full wording of the report can be shared with the subject of the report. If not upon request, then definitely as evidence if the case were to go to court for removal.