Wiped out by Madoff

Joe Stewart, 56, and his wife Linda, parents of two teenage daughters in Las Vegas, say they didn't even know they had invested his father's inheritance into Bernard L. Madoff Securities. Stewart explained his story in an e-mail to CNNMoney.com:

"I placed my inheritance from my father, $210,000, in [Agile Funds] with the proviso that it be invested conservatively for my wife Linda and my retirement. Over the years, they did just that, with the result last year of an account over $1,150,000. My most recent account statement, dated in May, 2009, indicates a $0 balance.

"We are indirect investors and not eligible for any SIPC [Securities Investor Protection Corporation] coverage. The sudden evaporation of half a lifetime's saving and investing, including the loss of my father's hard earned legacy, has had devastating financial consequences. There is a strong possibility of our bankruptcy in the near future. Our children will suffer and their future prospects may be diminished."

Steve Harbeck, Chief Executive of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, which covers investor losses, said, "Anybody who believes that they're victimized by Madoff should file a claim. There are very few things in law that are black and white."

NEXT: Dana Foy: Blame Madoff, but also SIPC