National Crime Victims Rights Week

U.S. Postal
Inspectors:
Protecting you
from fraud.

Did you know...?

Every year American consumers lose billions of dollars to fraud. Today’s popular schemes range from simple work-at-home scams to credit card and investment fraud; from identity fraud to Internet scams; from medical “cures” to fraudulent prizes, sweep-stakes and foreign lotteries.

You or any member of your family can become a victim of a fraud scheme. Fraudsters may approach you by e-mail, phone or the U.S. Mail. Protect yourself and your family by following these tips:

Check out offers before making a decision.
Get all information in writing.
Don’t give personal information to people or companies you don’t know.
Older Americans are particularly vulnerable to scams.
If you respond to even one of these “offers,” your name will be added to a “mooch” list—and you’ll be targeted again.
Protect your parents or older relatives by sharing these tips with them.

Crime Victim?
Know Your Rights.

The person sitting next to you may have been a victim of a crime. In 2008, 21 million crimes were committed in the United States. Most people think of violent crime — rape, assault, robbery — when they think of victims.

But not all victims experience crimes of violence. Fraud and financial schemes victimize millions yearly. And every day, consumers fall prey to phony investment scams, get-rich-quick schemes, foreign lotteries, telemarketing fraud, and Internet scams.

Crime victims often feel helpless in the aftermath of a crime. They may feel alone and isolated, and many are financially devastated.

It’s good to know there are laws to protect crime victims. The Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights gives victims a place in the criminal justice system, ensures they have the opportunity to be heard, and provides assistance to further their recovery. Most states also have victims’ rights laws for cases handled in local criminal justice systems.

Being a victim of a crime is nothing to be ashamed of. And we can help you to recover from it.

Crime victims are notified of their rights and other information via the Victim Notification System. U.S. Postal Inspectors urge you to learn more about victims’ rights and services by visiting this comprehensive Web site, www.crimevictims.gov. For information about fraud schemes and to avoid becoming a victim of crime, visit www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com.

Know Your Rights: A Guide for Victims & Witnesses of Crime text-only version
Publication 308

Sus derechos: Información para víctimas y testigos de delitos text-only version
Publicación 308-S

Click here to print an 8 1/2" x 11" list of phone numbers for victims' rights, services, and criminal and juvenile justice resources.

Postal Inspectors enforce more than 200 federal laws in investigations of crimes that may adversely affect or fraudulently use the U.S. Mail, the postal system, or postal employees. The Jurisdiction and Laws page of this site lists the Postal Inspection Service's areas of jurisdiction. Your local U.S. Postal Inspection Service office can help you reach a victim witness coordinator near you.

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Postal Inspection Service Victim Witness Coordinator, Frank Marion, speaks about the Victim rights Program.

National Crime Victims' Rights Week promotes public awareness about victims' rights and available services. For more information visit www.ovc.gov/ncvrw/welcome.html.