Contents of the Resource Kit

Providing Services to Victims of Fraud: Resources for Victim/Witness Coordinators contains a variety of informational materials for both the victims of fraud and federal personnel who assist them throughout the federal justice process. The resource kit has been developed primarily for victim/witness coordinators housed in U.S. Attorneys' offices. However, the resources are also suitable for use by other federal personnel mandated to provide services to victims of federal fraud crimes.

Two of the kit's resources are designed for distribution to the victims of fraud. The remaining two are designed to help all federal criminal justice personnel, especially victim/witness coordinators, understand of the emotional, financial, and informational needs of fraud victims.

Specifically, the resource kit includes the following:

• For victims and witnesses, a pamphlet titled Information for Victims and Witnesses Who Report Fraud Crimes. The pamphlet, designed for distribution by federal investigative agencies, provides victims with

• general information about their right to receive information about the status of their case;
• a description of common emotional responses experienced by fraud victims;
• answers to questions most often asked at this stage of a complaint, including how to address credit problems and document financial losses; and
• a list of agency referrals for additional assistance and support, including credit reporting agencies, counseling services, and hotlines for reporting fraudulent practices.

• For victims and witnesses, a handbook titled Rights, Roles and Responsibilities: A Handbook for Fraud Victims Participating in the Federal Criminal Justice System. The handbook expands on the information contained in the pamphlet, covering

• victims' roles, rights, and responsibilities during the criminal prosecution of a case;
• the federal justice process;
• support services available to fraud victims in the federal justice system;
• the emotional impact of fraud victimization;
• frequently asked questions about the process;
• national organizations and government agencies that provide services regarding fraud crime;
• suggestions on how to address credit problems;
• a glossary of legal terms;
• case contact information; and
• guidelines for documenting financial losses.

• For federal criminal justice personnel, an educational video titled Victims of Fraud: Beyond the Financial Loss. The video focuses on the emotional and financial impact of fraud crimes and emphasizes fraud victims' need for access to the criminal justice system.

• For federal criminal justice personnel, a comprehensive guidebook titled Providing Services to Victims of Fraud: Resources for Victim/Witness Coordinators. The guidebook contains a variety of effective program service strategies, suggestions to enhance services by federal personnel to victims of fraud, and referrals to outside agencies and programs that provide fraud victims with services or information. Many of the suggestions contained in the guidebook are already in practice in some U.S. Attorneys' offices; other suggested services will be new to victim/witness coordinators.

Both the pamphlet and the handbook are provided as master print copies in the resource kit. Any local printer or business copy center should be able to customize the documents with agency logos, contact information, or artwork.

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