Got Fraud Losses? How Experts Put a Number on Them

If your company suffers significant losses due to a fraud incident, you may decide to pursue the perpetrator in court, possibly to obtain compensatory damages. Assuming you win your case, you should know that estimating fraud damages is challenging. It generally requires the assistance of a financial expert, who will consider the facts of the case and the harm suffered by your business. Let’s take a look at calculation methods. Benefit-of-the-bargain vs. out-of-pocket Damages experts typically use either the benefit-of-the-bargain or out-of-pocket approach to make estimates. The appropriate method depends to some degree on the location and nature of the fraud. But in most cases, the benefit-of-the-bargain method results in greater restitution for victims. Take, for example, a real estate developer who buys a parcel of land that...