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No Matter Your Age, Scammers Can Catch You by Surprise

Donna Nichols • July 9, 2024

I found this in Seniors Today and thought it very blog-worthy. It comes straight from our very own Sheriff Chitwood and with all the scams going on everyday I also deem it appropriate. I hope it makes you realize you are not alone if you have succumbed to these scammers out there and makes you understand just how good they are and how aware you must be each day. NEVER give your information to anyone. Should you receive such a call, hang up, call your bank and ask them!


This week, an unfortunate soul in west Volusia contacted the Sheriff’s Office to report being a victim of fraud: He’d received a phone call from his bank alerting him that someone had used his bank card for a $300 purchase.


The caller stated he worked at Wells Fargo Bank, our victim's bank. The caller assured him the bank would handle the fraudulent charges. First, they asked for the victim's personal bank information and full access to his phone settings.


He provided all the financial information a scammer would need to help himself to our victim's bank accounts. At the urging of the caller, our victim, who is in his early 20s, transferred a large sum from his checking account to another account. He promptly observed it disappearing from that account.


Our victim's next call was to his bank, to ask about the teller he spoke to, and learned the bank had not contacted him and was unaware of his missing money.

The victim wants to pursue criminal charges and we have an active investigation under way.


Unfortunately, this kind of scam happens regularly to people of all ages here in Volusia County. Some people have lost thousands of dollars, believing they're receiving a legitimate call from their banking institution. So, they follow directions until they realize they've been had.


We all need to educate ourselves and be vigilant, to avoid falling for these kinds of schemes that keep happening.


Tips: Here are some basic tips to avoid becoming a scam victim:


If you don't recognize the caller's number, don't answer it. They can leave a message if it's important. If they don't, you probably escaped a potential scam.


Never give out your financial or personal information over the phone-such as your birthday, Social Security number, bank account numbers, and more. Even or especially to someone who claims they're calling from your bank. They're likely an imposter. If you fear there might be a problem with your account, go to your bank in person. Check your accounts online yourself. If you're not sure, run it by someone you trust. Or our non-emergency dispatch number: 386.248.1777. Or 911 in an emergency.


Don't be rushed into making a mistake by someone who could be a scammer. Think before you act. This could be a scam. Don't fall for it.


Signs to watch for:


Have you received:


•          Unsolicited calls or emails.

•          High-pressure tactics or offers that seem too good to be true.

•          Threats of loss or risk if you don't take immediate action, even including arrest.

•          Requests for immediate payment by wire transfer, credit, prepaid debt, or especially gift cards.


Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody's website myfloridalegal.com features helpful programs with information about common scams. One program is  Scams At A Glance and includes down­loadable brochures in English and Spanish to teach consumers how to avoid becoming a fraud victim. The other program is Consumer Alert. To view recent Consumer Alerts, visit: My FloridaLegal.com/ConsumerAlert


It's easy to fall victim to scams like we've described, but you don't have to! If you're unsure, ask a trusted friend or family member, or call the Sheriff's Office at 386.248.1777 or 911 in an emergency. We're always glad to help.


Please stay savvy and stay safe,

Sheriff Mike Chitwood

Make Valentine’s Day Special for Seniors

By Donna Nichols • February 5, 2025
Valentine’s Day tends to zero in on romantic love, but what about our seniors? They too often get forgotten. We have some ways to make Valentine’s Day special for them too. Spend the day with your loved one. Spending quality time with a loved one is more important to a senior than anything else. There is no greater gift than time and please make sure you have enough, so you are not rushed. Do your elderly loved one have a favorite meal? Perhaps you can prepare it for them, or if they are able, you can prepare it together. How fun would that be for you both? Be sure to discuss the enjoyment it brought you while you are sharing the meal together. How about a game of name that love song? You could prepare a playlist of love songs from the generation and play them to see how many they get correct. Or, if you can sing, you can sing some for them and see if they can recollect them. Take some time for reminiscing, go through old photo albums, or ask about old times. Ask them about when you were young and what trouble you caused; this will give you all something to laugh (or cry) about. Has your loved one been cooped up all winter? Take them out for a nice lunch, or weather permitting, a picnic in the park. Go for coffee and a donut, then head out to see a movie. Make a “date” of it. Maybe your senior is into crafts. You can design special Valentine’s Day cards for other family members. This way your senior can express their love for them and send it to them in their own unique way. You can create other greeting cards as well. Bake some special treats together. Does your senior have some favorite cookies or cake? You could bake it together, or you can bake it for them. Then you can enjoy it after you have the meal you prepared together. Yummy, delicious!! You can watch some romantic movies together if they prefer to stay in the house or the weather isn’t so good. If they like to color, you can buy them some of those large coloring books and you can color together. Don’t forget the decorations and the flowers! Make the house or apartment as festive as possible. Even if they live in as assisted living community, you can still decorate their room to the nines! Make it as festive as possible! If you live in another state or can’t be close to your senior for Valentine’s Day, how about sending them a specially crafted care package. You can hand make some gifts, add some photos of family and friends, and send a personally recorded message. You can bake some homemade treats and incorporate some things that are of personal interest to them. This will show how much you care for them and make their Valentine’s Day extra special even if you can’t be with them.  There are so many ways to make Valentine’s Day special for seniors. Let’s not forget about them; make sure to show them they are so loved too!

February is National Heart Month

By Donna Nichols • February 4, 2025
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Hydration Tips for the Winter

By Donna Nichols • January 8, 2025
I’ve written many blogs about the importance of staying hydrated in the summer, but did you know it’s just as important to stay hydrated in the winter months? I’ve shared some important tips on how to stay hydrated in the winter and why. Cold, dry air can dehydrate you easily and quickly. Even if you don’t feel thirsty. Proper hydration can help regulate your body temperature, maintain healthy organ function, and prevent fatigue, dry skin, and headaches. In the colder months, you do not feel thirsty, that’s why it’s so important to make sure you drink plenty of water. Why is winter hydration so important? Colder air tends to be drier causing moisture to evaporate through your breathing which can cause dehydration. In colder weather, you may not feel as thirsty, causing you to become dehydrated quickly. Also, wearing more clothing traps sweat inside your clothing causing more fluid loss. What are some of the benefits of staying hydrated in the winter? • Drinking enough water helps keep your skin hydrated and prevents dryness. This will help with that dry, itchy skin feeling we all get in the winter. • Water helps your body maintain a regular core temperature. Which is so important to maintain in the winter. • Drinking plenty of water supports your immune system, which helps fight off winter colds and the flu. We all want to fight those germs off! • When you are dehydrated, you become tired easily, so drinking plenty of water helps keep your energy levels up. How do you stay hydrated in the winter? • Make sure you drink plenty of water. Set reminders if you must; you probably won’t feel as thirsty in the winter, but you need to keep drinking that water! • You don’t have to drink cold water; room temperature water works. You can also drink tea or water with lemon, as long as you’re getting your water. • If you’re going out, carry a water bottle with you to ensure you have water to drink. • Eat fruits and vegetables that contain water. Tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries, watermelon, cauliflower, mushrooms, cucumber, apples, and pineapple are just a few that contain high water contents. • If you think you’re dehydrated, check your urine; if it’s a darker color, that can suggest dehydration. Urine should be a pale, yellow color. As you can see, staying hydrated in the winter is just as important as staying hydrated in the summer, if not more. In the winter you don’t realize you are thirsty therefore you tend not to drink as much water as you should. This has the potential of wreaking havoc on your body. Please make sure you drink plenty of water in the wintertime as you do in the summertime. We have rebranded our company, we are now Assisted Senior Services! Call us for ANYTHING SENIOR!! 386-847-2322!
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