Beware Of Holiday Scams
DECEMBER 10, 2012 VOLUME 19 NUMBER 45 This week we offer season-relevant advice from our friends in the Elder Consumer Protection Program at Stetson University College of Law’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law. We share this information with their permission: Top 5 Holiday Scams During the holiday season, fraudsters find their way onto the […]
“Grandma, it’s me and I need your help.” Don’t Be Fooled By This Scam
APRIL 2, 2012 VOLUME 19 NUMBER 13 We have been hearing lately about a scam that targets seniors. You get a telephone call from a number you don’t recognize. When you answer, the person on the other line says: “Grandma, it’s me, and I need your help.” You learn that your grandchild has been detained […]
Publishers Clearing House Must Cooperate With Iowa Investigation
JUNE 25, 2001 VOLUME 8, NUMBER 52 Sweepstakes solicitations have become a major financial problem for the elderly in America. Thousands of individuals send millions of dollars to promoters of get-rich-quick schemes every year. Spouses and other family members are often powerless to prevent the fleecing of gullible individuals as they send in check after […]
Home Repair Scam Leads To Twenty-Five Year Jail Sentence
JANUARY 22, 2001 VOLUME 8, NUMBER 30 Virginia Detlefs, 81, was living in her own home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, when she first met Mark Olsen. In September, 1996, Mr. Olsen contacted Ms. Detlefs and offered to evaluate her home to see if it needed any repairs. With the help of his live-in girlfriend Jennifer […]