SCARSSCARS SCARS - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. A government registered crime victims' assistance & crime prevention nonprofit organization based in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. SCARS supports the victims of scams worldwide and through its partners in more than 60 countries around the world. Incorporated in 2015, its team has 30 years of continuous experience educating and supporting scam victims. Visit www.AgainstScams.org to learn more about SCARS.™ Guide: United States Crime Victims Rights & Assistance By State [UPDATED]

Victims’ Rights & Victims’ Services by U.S. State

1. 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 fraudFraud In law, fraud is intentional deception to secure unfair or unlawful gain (money or other assets), or to deprive a victim of a legal right. Fraud can violate civil law (e.g., a fraud victim may sue the fraud perpetrator to avoid the fraud or recover monetary compensation) or criminal law (e.g., a fraud perpetrator may be prosecuted and imprisoned by governmental authorities), or it may cause no loss of money, property, or legal right but still be an element of another civil or criminal wrong. The purpose of fraud may be monetary gain or other benefits, for example by obtaining a passport, travel document, or driver's license, or mortgage fraud, where the perpetrator may attempt to qualify for a mortgage by way of false statements. A fraud can also be a hoax, which is a distinct concept that involves deliberate deception without the intention of gain or of materially damaging or depriving a victim. victims; however, the list of rights differs from state to state.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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:

• Find your Attorney General’s contact info
• Federal Crime Victim’s Rights

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 »

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 ScamsScams A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime -  is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no money was lost., Anti-ScamScam A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime -  is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no money was lost., 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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