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Documenting Financial Losses

Please use these tips to begin documenting your fraud losses.

Courts can usually order restitution for money lost directly in the fraudulent act, expenses for travel to and from court proceedings, child care, lost wages, and payments for medical or mental health treatment for conditions caused by the crime.

Financial losses that usually cannot be included in a restitution order include state or federal taxes, interest, penalties, or fines; unpaid or promised interest; expenses for private legal representation; and fees for tax advisors, accountants, or other professionals. You should still track those expenses, as you might be able to recover them in another way, such as through civil litigation.

Specifically, you should save or obtain:

• Receipts for cash, stocks, bonds, etc.
• Bank and investment statements
• Insurance and mortgage premiums
• Money orders, cashier's checks, and canceled checks
• Travel-related bills for court appearances
• Statement of lost wages from employers
• Bills for medical care and counseling
• Any correspondence from the defendant that would verify the scheme or losses
• Statement that you do not have insurance or other means to recover the amount of the loss sought, if that is the case

Also, you should document:

• Amount of money lost
• Details about the crime, how you became a victim, your form of payment (cash, checks, traveler's checks, credit cards), and how it was sent (U.S. mail, Federal Express) to the alleged perpetrator. Save all account and receipt numbers.

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