NCJ Number
152509
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 41 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1995) Pages: 54-72
Date Published
1995
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This research focuses on the victimization of persons by personal fraud, which is defined as involving the deliberate intent to deceive with promises of good, services, or other financial benefits that do not exist or that were never intended to be provided.
Abstract
The data presented are based on a national telephone survey that involved a representative probability sample of 1,246 respondents aged 18 and older. The survey measured the incidence and prevalence of personal fraud victimization, the characteristics of the victims involved, and the impact and effects of these offenses. The reactions of victims and official agencies to the victimization experience were also addressed, as well as implications for research and public education. According to these data, personal fraud is apparently common, and although fraud attempts are typically not successful, losses for some victims can be extreme. Victimization by personal fraud does not vary significantly across the demographic variables of household size, region of the United States, household income, urban or rural location, race, Hispanic origin, or gender. Younger, as well as better educated persons, were victimized more often. Fraud attempts were less likely to be successful if the intended victim had heard of the fraud previously. 9 tables, appended survey instrument, and 11 references