Crime Victim? Know Your Rights

Wednesday, March 1, 2006

Crime Victim? Know Your Rights (NAPSA)—The chances are good that the person sitting next to you may have beena victim of a crime. Statistics indicate that 8 out of 12 Americans will become victims of a crime at least once in their lifetime. Most people think of StL SLRS EE RUT violent crimes—rape, assault, rob- bery—whenthey think of victims. But not all victims experience crimes of violence. According to the Office for Victims of Crime, frauds, identity theft and financial schemes victimize millions of Americans each year. Consumers fall prey to phony investment scams, get-rich-quick schemes, foreign lotteries, telemarketing fraud, Internet scams and identity theft every day. Millions of hardearned dollars and life savings of victims line the pockets of scammers, who have no regard for their victims or the damage they’ve doneto theirlives. Last year, 10 million Ameri- cans becamevictims of identity theft, according to the Better Business Bureau, with a loss of over $50 billion. Insurance frauds cost the average family $400-$700 per year in higher insurance premiums. And fraudsters in the multibillion dollar telemarketing industry target older Americans, with an estimated loss of over $500 million. Victims often feel helpless in the aftermath of a crime. They feel alone and isolated by the crime and manyare financially devastated. If you or someone you knowor love does become a victim of a financial crime or any other type of crime, there are countless professionals and volunteers who stand ready to help cope with the Being a victim of a crime is nothing to be ashamed of; neither is seeking help to recoverfrom it. consequences of the crime, to offer support, and to provide guidance that can help victims better understand their options. The good newsis that there are laws ready to protect victims. The Federal Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights was created to give victims a properplace in the criminal justice system, ensure they have the opportunity to be heard and provide assistance to further their recovery process. Most states also have victims’ rights laws for cases handled in the local criminal justice system. U.S. Postal Inspectors urge you to learn more about victims’ rights and services by visiting www.crimevictims.gov. For information about current frauds, visit www.LooksTooGoodToBeTrue.com. Andto order “All the Kings’ Men,” a free DVD onvictims’ rights, visit www.usps.com/postalinspectors. Remember, being a victim of a crime is nothing to be ashamedof; neither is seeking help to recover from it.

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