Q: How can I be a member of the WJFA Volunteers?
A: Contact us to volunteer at this email address and tell us about yourself and what kind of skills you have that you feel would benefit the team.
WJFA is about paying it forward. No volunteer is paid because WJFA does not charge, nor does it receive any donations or any funding.
We do this because it is the right thing to do. When each of us came looking for a kind ear and information, we were grateful for the kind hearts, strong moral support and the guidance we received.
Our volunteers are diverse and typically work out of their home. But we have a few extraordinary volunteers that devote their time to scouring through public records.
Q: Isn't fraud no big deal and victims should just get over it?
A: No! Fraud is a huge issue and when the crime is a life-altering event and then the crime victim falls through the cracks of the justice system, there is no closure for them. It is an emotional mugging.
Typically, fraud victims, suffer large-scale losses, such as a stolen homes, life savings, or businesses.
Sadly, for many fraud victims, the crime depleted them of all financial resources, so, they are not able to litigate the crime in civil court. Too many crime victims report losing everything, and or, are permanently financially ruined.
For victims that were able to obtain a civil court judgment, they report being feeling further victimized when the guilty person is allowed to wash their hands of their crime in the bankruptcy court. Once the thief is allowed to wash away the crime, then the victim is prevented from recovering anything.
Q: Does WJFA provide legal referrals or legal advice?
A: WJFA is not a legal service, nor do we have attorneys. We cannot provide any legal advice.
There have been many of us that had to be our own attorney in our lawsuits against the fraudster, so, if you would like our perspective, please join WJFA's on-line support group.
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Q: How did WJFA get started?
A: As fraud victims not knowing what to do next, sought each other for help and moral support. We then decided to pay it forward to other fraud victims seeking help and solace.
Q: Do fraud victims recover their losses in civil court?
A: Rarely. Perpetrators consider civil court a red letter day because their actions are no longer a crime.
Example:
Theft of a home is a felony offense punishable with time in prison and restitution to the crime victim.
Yet, when crime victims fall through the cracks of the justice system, their only option is civil court to resolve the crime.
Civil courts, however, are strictly about resolving disputes between people. It cannot adjudicate crimes.
In the case of the stolen home, civil court judges and attorneys must address the issue as two people disagreeing about ownership of the home.
This puts all the burden and litigating cost on the crime victim.
Victims overwhelmingly report feeling confused, betrayed, and angry, about having to resolve the crime in civil court because they want justice and the crime undone.
Instead, they report feeling pressured to arbitrate, settle the case, and or pay the perpetrator to "Buy their Peace."
Please see the Jerry Ponsky and Al Seastrand and Vincent L. Abell stories and what the victims endured.
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