Federal law enforcement professionals are

 concerned about victims and witnesses of

 financial crimes. As a victim or witness, you

probably have questions about how your case will be

investigated, what services and information will be

available to you, and how you can begin to cope with

your financial losses. This brochure was designed to

provide you with general information to answer these

common concerns.

What can I do about my

financial loss?

The first thing you should do is collect and save all

paperwork that directly relates to your loss. If an arrest is

made and a conviction is obtained, the judge will consider requiring the offender to pay you for your losses

(called restitution).

Some losses are tax deductible. Because tax laws are

complicated, consult a qualified tax advisor or the

Internal Revenue Service to see if your losses qualify.

Finally, if you believe the fraud perpetrator has assets,

you may be able to recover some losses through a civil

lawsuit. Contact your state or local bar association for

the names of attorneys who specialize in this area of law

to determine if your case is appropriate for civil action.

If you have additional questions about recovering your

financial losses, contact the victim/witness coordinator at

the phone number provided.

What if I am contacted by anyone

other than criminal justice

professionals about my case?

Although this rarely happens, if you receive harassing or

other improper phone calls, mail, or actions from anyone

as a result of your cooperation in the investigation of your

case, contact your case agent immediately. Federal law

provides for extra penalties for harassment or other

threats against victims and witnesses.

If you are contacted by an individual claiming he or she

can help you recover your losses, ask for the name of the

person and the agency he or she claims to represent.

Then contact your case agent or victim/witness coordinator immediately so he or she can help you verify the

legitimacy of the individual or agency. Many fraud artists

use this ploy to further victimize known victims, often

using the names of official-sounding federal agencies.

How will I receive information

about my case?

Federal crime victims have been granted a number of

rights throughout their participation in the federal criminal

justice system. As your case proceeds, each of your

rights will be explained to you. Specifically, during the

investigation of the case, you have the right to:

■ Be treated with fairness and with respect for your

dignity and privacy

■ Be reasonably protected from the accused offender

■ Be notified of court dates

■ Be present at court hearings

■ Speak with the governments attorney

■ Learn of the offenders conviction, sentence, and

imprisonment

■ Seek restitution

Some of these rights may only be available if your case

is accepted for prosecution. To learn more about your

rights, and at what stage in the justice process, you are

eligible to receivethem, please contact your victim/

witness coordinator or case agent.

If you ask to be kept informed about the status of your

case, you will receive periodic updates from the case

agent or victim/witness coordinator.

The investigation of a possible fraud crime is often

complex, especially if it involves several law enforcement

agencies and many victims. Your case is important, and

the professionals involved want to give it all the attention

it deserves. If you have questions about how your case is

progressing, contact your case agent or victim/witness

coordinator. It is important to keep justice system

representatives advised of any change in your address or

contact information.

If an arrest is made, you will be notified as soon as

possible. Victim/witness coordinators can answer your

questions, describe your rights, and explain your role in

the justice process.

Why do I feel the way I do?

Victims of financial crime experience varying degrees of

emotional trauma. You may feel some or all of the

following:

■ Anger, resentment, and a sense of betrayal toward the

offender for taking advantage of you

■ Frustration with criminal justice professionals

■ Shame, embarrassment, and guilt if you feel you

contributed to your victimization

■ Fear for your financial security

■ Increased concern about your personal safety or that

of your family

Some victims find it helpful to seek the services of a

counseling professional, clergy member, or advocacy

organization. Contact your victim/witness coordinator if

you need help in locating such services.

What can I do to address financial

or credit problems?

If your losses were severe and you are unable to meet

your financial obligations, your credit rating may be

affected. Consider some of these options:

■ Contact your creditors immediately. Creditors will

often work with you to reduce or modify your payments.

■ Consult a nonprofit consumer credit counseling

service, which may be able to negotiate new payment

arrangements or consolidate or reduce payments or

interest.

■ Submit a written statement to local and national credit

reporting agencies about your victimization.
Additional Assistance and Support

National Credit Reporting Agencies

Equifax .......................................................................800-525-6285

P.O. Box 740256

Atlanta, GA 30374

Experian, Inc. ..........................................................800-682-7654

P.O. Box 949

Allen, TX 75013

Trans Union Corporation....................................800-680-7289

P.O. Box 6790

Fullerton, CA 92834

To find local credit reporting agencies, consult your

localBetter Business Bureau or phone directory.

Credit Counseling Services

National Foundation for Consumer Credit ..800-388-2227

For additional credit counseling services near you,

contact your local Better Business Bureau.

Support Services

American Association of

Retired Persons......................................................202-434-2277

Community Elder Care Locator.......................800-677-1116

Neighbors Who Care ........................................800-NWC-7770

U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, Office of

the Elderly and Handicapped ...........................202-755-5318

National Hotlines to Report or File

Complaints of Fraudulent Practices

National Association of Securities Dealers 800-289-9999

National Consumer League Fraud Information

Hotline........................................................................800-846-7661

National Fraud Information Center .................800-876-7060

National Insurance Consumer Help Line ....800-942-4242 BC 000599

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

Office for Victims of Crime

Securities and Exchange Commission.......800-SEC-0330

Social Security Administration

Fraud Hotline...........................................................800-269-0271

U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office of the

Inspector General ..................................................800-HHS-TIPS

U.S. Postal Service Crime Hotline .................800-654-8896

The information above is only a partial list of reporting

agencies. Please call the Federal Government Information

Center (800-688-9889) for a list of additional government reporting and licensing agencies.

State and Local Reporting and Licensing

Agencies

Please refer to your local phone directory to obtain these

numbers. Some agencies provide victims with additional

avenues for financial recovery, such as administrative

hearings and reparation boards.

Important Case-Related Information

Investigative Agency

Case Agent

Phone ( )

Report Number

Victim/Witness Coordinator

Name

Phone ( )

This project was supported by Cooperative Agreement No. 96-VRGX-K002, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of

Justice Programs, U. S. Department of Justice, to the Police

Executive Research Forum. Points of view are those of the grantee

and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of

the U.S. Department of Justice. The Office for Victims of Crime is

a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes

the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics,

National Institute of Justice, and Office of Juvenile Justice and

Delinquency Prevention.

Information

for Victims and

Witnesses

Who Report Fraud Crimes