Whistleblower System

Complying with statutory regulations and internal rules has top priority at Volkswagen. This naturally also applies to Volkswagen Financial Services. We can only avoid damage  to our company, our employees and business partners if rules and standards are respected. Consequently, misconduct must be recognized swiftly, processed and immediately remedied. Therefore, we entrusted the Central Investigation Office to operate an independent, impartial and confidential Whistleblower system.

That calls for vigilance on the part of everyone along with a willingness to draw attention to possible Serious Regulatory Violations on the basis of Reasonable Suspicion. We also value information of this nature from business partners, customers and other third parties. Reports to the Whistleblower System can be made at any time and in any language. Here is an overview of all Whistleblowing System information at a glance.

The Whistleblower System guarantees the greatest possible protection for whistleblowers, persons implicated and employees contributing to the investigation of reported misconduct. An investigation is only initiated after very careful examination of the facts and reasonable suspicion of a regulatory violation. There will be strict confidentiality and secrecy throughout the investigative process. Information will be reviewed fairly, promptly and in a sensitive manner. However, this does not affect the statutory right to contact designated authorities as described below.

Do you have any concern or feedback regarding a VW FS product or service? 

If you have any questions or inquiries regarding your contract or other services of VW FS or our business partners (e.g. dealerships, workshops), please contact our Customer Service.

We kindly ask for your understanding that the Whistleblower System unfortunately cannot process customer complaints. 

Potential violations of the Code of Conduct for Business Partners by suppliers, including serious risks and violations of human rights and environment by direct and indirect suppliers, can also be reported to the Investigation Office -  as well as reports requiring otherwise immediate action. The Investigation Office will inform the responsible departments, who will process the issue accordingly. This particularly includes taking the necessary measures to minimize or end violations and/or risks.

Find more information on the procedural principles of the Volkswagen Group Complaints Procedure here.

It is important to make sure the information contained in the report you submit to the Investigation Office is as concrete as possible so that it can be processed and investigated in an appropriate manner. It is helpful if your report covers the following five questions:
 

• Who?
  
• What?
• When?
• How?
• Where?

Please make sure that the descriptions contained in your report can be easily understood by persons who are not specialists in your field. It would be helpful if you are available to answer further questions. If you would be willing to do so, but wish to remain anonymous to the company, please contact the ombudspersons to make your report.

There are many ways of submitting information to the Volkswagen Group - at any time, on all channels and always while maintaining anonymity.

In addition to the lawyers of the Central Investigation Office the Volkswagen Group has appointed external lawyers to act as Ombudspersons. As persons of trust, they receive hints on possible Serious Regulatory Violations and check if these are plausible and valid.

All information is treated as confidential and it is the whistleblower who decides whether he or she wishes to protect his or her identity vis-à-vis the Group. The ombudspersons appointed by the Group ensure that reports from whistleblowers who do not wish to be identified by the company are forwarded to the Investigation Office anonymously.

If you want to get in contact with the Ombudspersons you can find their contact details on the following homepage:

http://www.ombudsmen-of-volkswagen.com/


Do you have further questions?

Questions concerning the Whistleblower System of Volkswagen Financial Services can also be addressed to our Compliance Officer via email: compliance@vwfs.com.

The impartial Compliance Officer advertises and communicates about the Whistleblower System locally, being VW FS connection to the Central Investigation Office. However, the qualified and experienced colleagues ate the Central Investigation Office are also at your disposal.

Additionally, the impartial Compliance Officer will also ensure that VW FS complies with legal requirements regarding Whistleblower Systems.

If you have been interviewed in terms of an investigation, you have the possibility to give feedback to the Ombudsperson as independent body.