A major action by GAO to reduce fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in Federal programs was the formation in October, 1978 of a Special Task Force for the Prevention of Fraud. The principal responsibilities of the Task Force are to evaluate the adequacy of the management control systems in Federal agencies that are necessary for the prevention of fraud and to assess the adequacy of followup and corrective actions taken on reports of auditors and investigators. The Task Force will focus on agency controls over cash and receivables, inventories and supplies, and anything else of value that might be stolen or misappropriated in controls are weak. The Task Force will also analyze the reports of internal auditors in each agency reviewed, giving particular attention to indications of fraud or error the auditors have found. A tollfree telephone number to be used by parties wishing to provide information on possible fraud and abuse in Federal programs was established on January 18, 1979. Since that time, the hotline has been widely used. Statistics and information on its use and the kinds of allegations made are provided. Questions presented to Mr. Staats by Committee members and his answers are provided.