SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years
SCARS™ Guide: United States Crime Victims Rights & Assistance By State [UPDATED]
Victims’ Rights & Victims’ Services by U.S. State
- Each state adopted a list of Victim’s Rights following California’s example in 1982 – the Bill of Rights for Victims, or “Marsy’s Law.” Certain aspects of these rights, originally established for victims of violent crimes, also cover fraud victims; however, the list of rights differs from state to state.
- Many state victim services provide a Victim/Witness Specialist or Victim Advocate* who can help you with local social services and help you with other problems you are facing due to having been scammed.
- Even if your state’s Victim’s Rights do not apply to White Collar Crime victims or only applies to victims of offenders who are being prosecuted in the same state, contact our local law enforcement or Attorney General’s Office to find out if you can speak with a Victim Advocate or Victim/Witness Specialist who might be able to help you in other ways.
- In some states, a victim must be declared a victim by the Prosecutor’s Office before gaining access to victim services. However, call anyway to find out if you can avail yourself of the services and assistance of a Victim Advocate or Victim/Witness Specialist.
- Compensation seldom covers victims of White Collar Crime as the expense for the state would be ruinous; however, if you have lost so much money that you cannot pay for rent, food, transportation to and from work, medical expenses, or your child’s welfare, it never hurts to ask if there is some form of temporary assistance for you and your family, and if an advocate can help you obtain it.
* A Victim/Witness Specialist and a Victim Advocate often have the same duties.
Helpful Links:
CLICK ON THE STATE NAME TO ACCESS THE VICTIMS’ RIGHTS INFORMATION.
Updated: October 18, 2019 – Links Updated
NOTE: We apologize for the broken links – States change their websites frequently. ALL LINKS HAVE BEEN UPDATED!
ALTERNATE: To find the latest links go here »
| U.S. State | Alternate Link |
| ALABAMA Victims’ Assistance | |
| ALASKA Victims’ Assistance | |
| AMERICAN SAMOA Victims’ Assistance | Federal Crime Victim’s Rights |
| ARIZONA Victims’ Assistance | |
| ARKANSAS Victims’ Assistance | |
| CALIFORNIA Victims’ Assistance | |
| COLORADO Victims’ Assistance | |
| CONNECTICUT Victims’ Assistance | |
| DELAWARE Victims’ Assistance | |
| DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Victims’ Assistance | |
| FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA Victims’ Assistance | Federal Crime Victim’s Rights |
| FLORIDA Victims’ Assistance | |
| GEORGIA Victims’ Assistance | |
| GUAM Victims’ Assistance | |
| HAWAII Victims’ Assistance | |
| IDAHO Victims’ Assistance | |
| ILLINOIS Victims’ Assistance | |
| INDIANA Victims’ Assistance | |
| IOWA Victims’ Assistance | |
| KANSAS Victims’ Assistance | |
| KENTUCKY Victims’ Assistance | |
| LOUISIANA Victims’ Assistance | |
| MAINE Victims’ Assistance | |
| MARSHALL ISLANDS Victims’ Assistance | Federal Crime Victim’s Rights |
| MARYLAND Victims’ Assistance | |
| MASSACHUSETTS Victims’ Assistance | |
| MICHIGAN Victims’ Assistance | |
| MINNESOTA Victims’ Assistance | |
| MISSISSIPPI Victims’ Assistance | |
| MISSOURI Victims’ Assistance | |
| MONTANA Victims’ Assistance | |
| NEBRASKA Victims’ Assistance | |
| NEVADA Victims’ Assistance | |
| NEW HAMPSHIRE Victims’ Assistance | |
| NEW JERSEY Victims’ Assistance | |
| NEW MEXICO Victims’ Assistance | |
| NEW YORK Victims’ Assistance | |
| NORTH CAROLINA Victims’ Assistance | |
| NORTH DAKOTA Victims’ Assistance | |
| NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS Victims’ Assistance | |
| OHIO Victims’ Assistance | |
| OKLAHOMA Victims’ Assistance | |
| OREGON Victims’ Assistance | |
| PALAU Victims’ Assistance | Federal Crime Victim’s Rights |
| PENNSYLVANIA Victims’ Assistance | |
| PUERTO RICO Victims’ Assistance | |
| RHODE ISLAND Victims’ Assistance | |
| SOUTH CAROLINA Victims’ Assistance | |
| SOUTH DAKOTA Victims’ Assistance | |
| TENNESSEE Victims’ Assistance | |
| TEXAS Victims’ Assistance | |
| UTAH Victims’ Assistance | |
| VERMONT Victims’ Assistance | |
| VIRGIN ISLANDS Victims’ Assistance | |
| VIRGINIA Victims’ Assistance | |
| WASHINGTON Victims’ Assistance | |
| WEST VIRGINIA Victims’ Assistance | |
| WISCONSIN Victims’ Assistance | |
| WYOMING Victims’ Assistance |
If you are looking for resources for victims of violence against women GO HERE »
For more information about victims’ compensation and funding GO HERE »
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SCARS™ Team
A SCARS Division
Miami Florida U.S.A.
TAGS: SCARS, Important Article, Information About Scams, Anti-Scam, United States Victims’ Rights, U.S. Victims Advocates, Victims of Crime, Attorney General’s Office, Crime Victims’ Rights By U.S. State
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MORE INFORMATION
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Tell us about your experiences with Romance Scammers in our
« Scams Discussion Forum on Facebook »
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FAQ: How Do You Properly Report Scammers?
It is essential that law enforcement knows about scams & scammers, even though there is nothing (in most cases) that they can do.
Always report scams involving money lost or where you received money to:
- Local Police – ask them to take an “informational” police report – say you need it for your insurance
- U.S. State Police (if you live in the U.S.) – they will take the matter more seriously and provide you with more help than local police
- Your National Police or FBI « www.IC3.gov »
- The SCARS|CDN™ Cybercriminal Data Network – Worldwide Reporting Network « HERE » or on « www.Anyscam.com »
This helps your government understand the problem, and allows law enforcement to add scammers on watch lists worldwide.
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Visit our NEW Main SCARS Facebook page for much more information about scams and online crime: « www.facebook.com/SCARS.News.And.Information »
To learn more about SCARS visit « www.AgainstScams.org »
Please be sure to report all scammers
« HERE » or on « www.Anyscam.com »
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SCARS, RSN, Romance Scams Now, SCARS|WORLDWIDE, SCARS|GLOBAL, SCARS, Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams, Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams, SCARS|ANYSCAM, Project Anyscam, Anyscam, SCARS|GOFCH, GOFCH, SCARS|CHINA, SCARS|CDN, SCARS|UK, SCARS Cybercriminal Data Network, Cobalt Alert, Scam Victims Support Group, are all trademarks of Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated.
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ARTICLE META
Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- Enroll in FREE SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
SCARS Institute articles examine different aspects of the scam victim experience, as well as those who may have been secondary victims. This work focuses on understanding victimization through the science of victimology, including common psychological and behavioral responses. The purpose is to help victims and survivors understand why these crimes occurred, reduce shame and self-blame, strengthen recovery programs and victim opportunities, and lower the risk of future victimization.
At times, these discussions may sound uncomfortable, overwhelming, or may be mistaken for blame. They are not. Scam victims are never blamed. Our goal is to explain the mechanisms of deception and the human responses that scammers exploit, and the processes that occur after the scam ends, so victims can better understand what happened to them and why it felt convincing at the time, and what the path looks like going forward.
Articles that address the psychology, neurology, physiology, and other characteristics of scams and the victim experience recognize that all people share cognitive and emotional traits that can be manipulated under the right conditions. These characteristics are not flaws. They are normal human functions that criminals deliberately exploit. Victims typically have little awareness of these mechanisms while a scam is unfolding and a very limited ability to control them. Awareness often comes only after the harm has occurred.
By explaining these processes, these articles help victims make sense of their experiences, understand common post-scam reactions, and identify ways to protect themselves moving forward. This knowledge supports recovery by replacing confusion and self-blame with clarity, context, and self-compassion.
Additional educational material on these topics is available at ScamPsychology.org – ScamsNOW.com and other SCARS Institute websites.
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
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