YCSO PRESENTATION CAUTIONS SENIORS ON FRAUDS AND SCAMS

Published on March 08, 2024

“Slow down!”. That’s not just for drivers exceeding the speed limit on local streets, but it’s great advice for everyone who gets one of those calls, texts, e-mails, or contacts on social media trying to ultimately steal your money.

Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) Fraud Investigations official Ron Norfleet this week told a group of senior citizens at The Landings of Prescott Valley, “No matter how dramatic their story is, you don’t need to do something right now. Slow down, take your time, think about it, and investigate it for yourself.” Norfleet’s appearance coincided with National Consumer Protection Week. He said 50 million adults a year fall victim to frauds and scams and billions of dollars are lost, most of which can never be recovered.

Just a few days ago, someone in Yavapai County lost $12,000 in a “grandparent scam”, responding to what they thought was a call from a grandchild in danger and needing immediate financial help with a wire transfer. He said artificial intelligence is helping criminals more easily convince their victims by reproducing a voice that sounds exactly like the person supposedly in trouble. “Hang up and call that relative directly to see if they really are in trouble”, he said.

Norfleet and Dennyse Loll of YCSO urged the seniors to refrain from clicking links on cell phone texts and on e-mails that appear to be from financial institutions. “Look up the phone number to your bank and call them directly to see if it’s for real”, Loll said.

And both of them warned against the use of Bitcoin, the so-called “electronic money”. Norfleet said he was aware of a local case where someone lost $40,000 in a Bitcoin deposit. “Those type of payments cannot be traced. You will never get your money back”, he said.

Other current scams involve lottery jackpots, home repairs, computer tech support, online romance, and phony payments due to the IRS or other governmental agencies. “Many times they will want you to go to the store and buy gift cards to use for payment. And they will even tell you law enforcement and your bank are the ones working against you. Don’t fall for it”, Norfleet said.

And don’t automatically trust the caller ID on your phone...he said scammers have the technology to use local numbers and names of law enforcement agencies.

Norfleet said many who fall victim are reluctant to report it because they feel embarrassed. “One man told me about losing $17,000 in a scam. He was crying and he felt so ashamed.”

If you suspect a fraud or scam, immediately call the YCSO Fraud Unit at (928)771-3299