Rights, Roles, and Responsibilities: A Handbook for Fraud Victims Participating in the Federal Criminal Justice System

The federal criminal justice system recognizes that you, as a victim
of a federal fraud crime, want information about the justice process,
you have an important role to play in that process, and you
possess rights that must be honored and may need referrals to
support services. This handbook has been developed to address
your needs and provide you with important information. In addition,
the handbook answers questions commonly asked by fraud
victims and lists resources that may be of help to you.
Fraud crime is a personal violation. Your trust in your own judgment,
and your trust in others, is often shattered. You may feel a
sense of betrayal, especially if the perpetrator is someone you
know.

You may have hesitated to tell family members, friends, or colleagues
about your victimization for fear of criticism. If they then
were exploited by the same fraud, you might feel guilty and suffer
a sense of isolation.

Fraud crimes can destroy your financial security and sometimes
that of your loved ones. If you are elderly, disabled, or on a fixed
income—and you lack opportunities to recover your losses—you
may face additional trauma, even the loss of your independence.