Handling Confidential Tips Regarding Client Misconduct

As a financial analyst at a major investment firm, you receive a confidential tip from a former colleague regarding a potential legal issue involving one of your firm's key clients, a publicly traded company. The tip suggests that the company has engaged in fraudulent accounting practices that may lead to significant legal ramifications. You are uncertain about how to handle this information both ethically and legally.

According to the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, which of the following actions would best align with your professional responsibilities in this scenario?