Frauds and Scams

Voice Against Fraud, LLC

Everyday, the elderly continue to fall victim to financial predators.

These incidents include various scams, identity theft, and financial exploitation committed by caregivers or family members.

I created Voice Against Fraud, LLC to empower seniors in the fight against fraud, so they will not be victims.

Jennifer Pitt, Founder and Fraud Prevention Consultant provides training, investigation and presentations on scams and fraud and how to avoid them.

Sign Up for the Pinal County Recording Notification Service

"The Pinal County Recording Notification System is a free online service that alerts subscribers when a document is recorded with the Pinal County Recorder’s Office. Users who sign up for the service will receive an email notification when a document is recorded using a name that they are monitoring. A user can list up to 5 name variations."

See the website for more information.

Deed Fraud: How Criminals Use Deed Fraud to Steal Your Entire Home

Stealing a wallet, a cellphone, a car — these are threats we all understand. A thief grabs and flees. But in a rising form of fraud known as deed theft, criminals have found a way to steal no less than your home and land.

Though it is still a relatively uncommon scam, deed-theft cases are popping up across the country. There are two typical variations:

• In the first type, thieves forge a deed that transfers ownership of a property to them. They file the deed with a county clerk, who records the sale. Then the property is quickly sold to an unsuspecting purchaser.
• In the second type, crooks deceive a homeowner, convincing them to sign a deed to transfer ownership, often by promising help refinancing a mortgage or paying overdue property taxes.

To better understand this form of fraud, check out this AARP Article: Deed Fraud: How Criminals Could Try to Steal Your Home​​ (aarp.org)

Avoiding Scams and Fraud for Older Adults

"Older adults lose billions of dollars each year to scams and fraud. Get tips to protect yourself and your money. Learn how to spot common scams, keep your money secure, and report financial fraud if you suspect you’re a victim."

This National Council on Aging (NCOA) website has a number of informative articles regarding scam and fraud pitfalls to be avoided. Check the website out for more information.

AARP - Scammers Who Commit Title Fraud Steal Your Identity — Then Your Home

Criminals can use public information to victimize both buyers and owners in this real estate scam.

“Title theft is … the perfect real estate crime,” says Cronkright, CEO of CertifID, a wire fraud prevention firm, and Sun Title, a residential and commercial title company in Grand Rapids, Mich. Unlike other forms of identity theft that require access to victims’ online accounts, Cronkright notes, “everything that the fraudster would need to [perpetrate title theft] is publicly available.”​

Check out this July 2024 AARP article on title scams. Then Sign Up for the Pinal County Recording Notification Service! Check the link below for more information.

AARP - Avoiding Durable Medical Equipment Fraud

Find out how to protect yourself and your loved ones against medical device scams and other fraudulent schemes.

"Medicare spends more than $7 billion a year on durable medical equipment (DME) — wheelchairs, walkers, braces and other devices prescribed by doctors to help patients deal with an injury or chronic illness at home. That’s a boon to beneficiaries but also a big draw for fraudsters, who exploit older Americans’ health care concerns to enrich themselves.

In a medical equipment scam, someone reaches out to you offering a brace, a wheelchair, diabetes test strips or other devices for “free” (as in, “Medicare will pay for it”). You might get an unsolicited phone call, see an advertisement or be approached at a health fair or similar event."

Check the link below to learn more about this scam from the AARP Fraud Network.

The Latest Scams You Need to Be Aware of in 2023

"Scammers continue to prove that there's no rest for the wicked. While their goals—to get your personal information and money—remain the same year in and year out, their strategies constantly change with the times. Fraudsters know people are most vulnerable when they're desperate or scared, and they may use crises and pressure tactics to prey on their victims.

As in previous years, many of the latest scams in 2023 are twists on existing scams, and the measures that have protected you for years can still apply. However, watch out for a few new types of attacks."

This November 2022 article written by the financial protection firm Experian gives you their take on how not to be taken.

Text Message Scams: How to Identify, Report, and Help Protect Yourself

"Many of us rely on text messaging for updates from our financial institution, pharmacy, and other trusted sources. But amidst all the familiar exchanges, you may see texts from unknown senders. Unfortunately, these mystery messages could be from scammers who are out to solicit payments, steal your personal information, or gain access to your bank account. According to a recent report, criminals sent 225.7 billion spam texts in 2022, a 157% increase from 2021."

Check the website for more information on text scams in this July2023 article from the National Council on Aging (NCOA).

14 Top Scams to Watch Out for in 2023

Scammers are like viruses: They continually evolve in response to the latest news and trends, using them for new ways to separate us from our cash.

These criminals “are so adaptable, they’re going to just follow the headlines,” says Amy Nofziger, director of fraud victim support for AARP.

Bank Impersonation Is the Most Common Text Scam: What You Need to Know

It can be hard to tell whether you’re being contacted by your bank or a criminal.

"Last year, Pittsburgh resident Molly Sinclair, 54, suddenly received ominous-sounding messages from two local banks where she’s a customer. One warned her that her account had been locked because of unusual activity and instructed her to click a link in order to verify the transaction. The other simply said that her account was locked and gave her a phone number to call."

This August 2023 article from AARP focuses on bank scams. This is one of the most common scams that we face. I've had this one attempted on my account . . . very slick. They count on your relationship and trust of your bank to relax your scam radar! Kind of ironical! Check this out to help protect yourself.

Title Theft Protection

Are you afraid of having your property title stolen? Here's a no cost solution to help protect your title without signing up for a commercial service.

Did you know that you can register for a notification service from your local county recorder's office if someone tries to register a transaction using your name? The service that you are requesting is a Consumer Notification Service.

The Pinal County Recording Notification System is a free online service that alerts subscribers when a document is recorded with the Pinal County Recorder’s Office. Users who sign up for the service will receive an email notification when a document is recorded using a name that they are monitoring. A user can list up to 5 name variations.

The link below is for the Pinal County Recorder's Office. A similar service is provided by the Maricopa County Recorder's Office. See the Notes Section for the Maricopa County link.

AARP - Identified SCAMS & FRAUDS Operating at This Time

Learn how to identify common scams and frauds.

Fraud Watch Network

Knowledge gives you power over scams. The AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM equips you with reliable, up-to-date insights, alerts and fraud prevention resources to help you spot and avoid scams and protect your loved ones. We even cover the latest scams in the news.

Find Support

If you've been targeted by scams or fraud, you are not alone. Our trained fraud specialists provide support and guidance on what to do next and how to avoid scams in the future. The AARP Fraud Helpline, 877-908-3360, is free and available to anyone. We also offer online support sessions for further emotional support.

AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360

Our toll-free service is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET

AARP’s Fraud Watch NetworkTM Helpline is a free resource for AARP members and nonmembers alike. Trained fraud specialists and volunteers field thousands of calls each month. Get guidance you can trust, free of judgment.

What to Know About Identity Theft

"Learn what identity theft is, how to protect yourself against it, and how to know if someone stole your identity."

"What Is Identity Theft?

"Identity theft is when someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission.

They might steal your name and address, credit card, or bank account numbers, Social Security number, or medical insurance account numbers."

Get more information from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on what identity theft is and how to deal with it.

How To Recognize and Protect Yourself from Scams

"Scammers are always trying to con victims out of their information and money. They are, unfortunately, often successful. Scammers are expert impersonators, using sophisticated technology and their best acting skills to convince you they represent a business, institution or government agency you may trust. They also tend to prey on the most susceptible victims, including those who are down on their luck or are exceptionally naïve and trusting."

"Above all, remember the golden rule of scams: If it’s too good to be true, it’s probably a scam."

This July 2023 article from Pinal County Federal Credit Union offers a concise overview of types of scams that we face every day and some excellent tips on how to avoid being a victim. Check out this link.

Identity Theft - What to know, what to do

"IdentityTheft.gov is the federal government’s one-stop resource for identity theft victims. The site provides streamlined checklists and sample letters to guide you through the recovery process."

Check out this website if you have suffered identity theft.

From HelpGuide.org - Scam and Fraud Support

HelpGuide.org is an independent nonprofit that runs one of the world’s leading mental health websites. Each month, millions of people from all around the world turn to us for trustworthy guidance they can use to strengthen their mental health and well-being, navigate challenges, and make healthy changes in their lives.

Elder fraud cost Americans over the age of 60 more than $966 million in 2020, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Here and in other countries, it's a growing problem as criminals increasingly use online scams to target older adults, especially those who are living alone.

Scams and fraud can have an obvious effect on finances. You might lose money you were saving for retirement, planning to pass down to family members, or using for daily needs like paying bills or grocery purchases. Those financial losses can reduce your sense of well-being and lead to issues such as insomnia, loss of appetite, depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulties.

Regardless of how much money you lose, simply being targeted by scammers can also affect your mental health and change the way you see the world. You might feel shocked, hurt, and even traumatized if someone you trusted defrauded you.