Federal Victim Witness Assistance Brochure

Victim Witness Assistance Brochure
Form 13072 (Rev. 2-2012)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR
VICTIMS OF FINANCIAL FRAUD
IRS ID Theft Unit

1-800-908-4490

Taxpayer Advocate
1-877-777-4778

Tax Fraud Referral Hotline
1-800-829-0433

Federal Trade Commission

1-877-FTC-HELP
www.ftc.gov
To report consumer complaints and business fraud.

Office for Victims of Crime

1-888-400-5530
www.ovc.gov
Provides resources and phone numbers for individuals.

Telemarketing Lists
To have your name removed from
telemarketing phone lists:
Go to The DO NOT CALL registry web page:
https://www.donotcall.gov
Click on REGISTER NOW.
Fill in the information requested.
Click on SUBMIT
OR: Call 1-888-382-1222
YOU MUST CALL FROM THE PHONE YOU
WISH TO REGISTER.
Registration is free. Registration is for home and
cell phone numbers only.

Identity Theft Resource Center

1-888-400-5530
www.idtheftcenter.org
Provides resources for victims of identity theft.

Eldercare Locator

1-800-677-1116
www.eldercare.gov
Provides resources to assist elderly persons.

Important Contact Numbers:
IRS-Criminal Investigation
Victim/Witness Coordinator

National Organization for Victim Assistance

Name __________________________

United States Postal Inspection Service

Phone __________________________

1-800-879-6682
www.try-nova.org
Provides resources & phone numbers for individuals.
1-877-876-2455
https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov
To report postal fraud.

Criminal
Investigation

Social Security Administration OIG

1-800-269-0271
www.ssa.gov/oig
To report social security number fraud.
Form 13072 (Rev. 2-2012) Catalog 31901S
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov

VICTIM WITNESS
ASSISTANCE

Information for Victims and
Witnesses of Crimes
As a Federal law enforcement agency,
IRS-Criminal Investigation is concerned about
the problems often experienced by victims
and witnesses of crime. We know that as a
victim or witness you may experience anger,
confusion, frustration or fear as a result of your
experience.
This brochure provides information that will
help you deal with the problems and questions
that often surface during an investigation. We
have included a description of victims’ rights
under Federal law, as well as information and
services available to you as a victim and/or
witness. We encourage you to contact the
IRS-Criminal Investigation Victim/Witness
Coordinator if you have any questions. The
coordinator’s name and number are on the
back of this brochure.
We know the days and months ahead may
be difficult for you and your family. We hope
the resources described in this brochure can
help you. At the same time, we need your
cooperation throughout the investigation.

If you are threatened or harassed
If anyone threatens you, or you feel that you are
being harassed because of your cooperation
with the investigation, contact your IRS-Criminal
Investigation Victim/Witness Coordinator
immediately. They are available to discuss
additional protective measures, which can be
taken, if necessary.

If your property is stolen
If your property was stolen, we hope to recover
it as part of our investigation. If we do, we will
notify you and make every effort to see that it is
returned.

If you need financial help or
support services
States have crime victim compensation programs
to help cover some expenses resulting from
violent crimes. Your state program may pay
for medical health care costs, lost wages and
support, and funeral and burial expenses not
covered by insurance or other benefits. The
Victim/Witness Coordinator can put you in
contact with state programs to find out if you are
eligible for benefits.

What can I do about my financial loss?
The first thing you should do is collect and save
all paperwork that directly relates to your loss.
Some losses are tax deductible. Because tax
laws are complicated, consult a qualified tax
advisor or the Internal Revenue Service to see if
your losses qualify.

Your rights as a victim
As a Federal crime victim you have the
following rights:
• The right to be reasonably protected from
the accused offender.
• The right to be notified of court proceedings.
• The right to be present at all public court
proceedings related to the offense, unless
the court determines that your testimony
would be materially affected if you heard
other testimony at trial.
•T
 he right to be heard at any public court
proceeding.
• The right to confer with the attorney for
the Government in the case.
•T
 he right to be treated with fairness and
with respect for your dignity and privacy.
•T
 he right to restitution.
•T
 he right to proceedings free from
unreasonable delay.