Seniors vs Crime is a collection of real-life stories set in The Villages, Florida, where elder citizens find themselves targeted by a range of con artists, shady contractors, and even predatory loved ones. Why was this an important book for you to write?

I am an other-oriented person, meaning I tend to care about other people and their situations perhaps more than most people.  My career as a wealth advisor afforded me an opportunity to help other people retire.  When I retired in 2008 in The Villages, FL.  I looked for a way to help people.  Seniors Vs. Crime was that perfect opportunity.  I wrote the book to provide the elderly with an opportunity to learn about scams and their artists to help them avoid possible harm.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

One of the ideas I wanted to share was how easy it is to be duped by scam artists who credibly seem to care about you. The doctor’s wife, who befriended the Doctor’s patient and then captured the patient’s widow’s entire estate, is a good example.  

I also wanted to try to urge victims to report the scam.  Many people are embarrassed that they were “stupid” enough to fall for the scam. I wanted them to know that we all make mistakes, but to not report the scam is a bigger “mistake.” 

Could you share more information with us about the Seniors vs. Crime program? Is it something that is still running?

Seniors vs Crime in Florida is not only still working but growing every year.  It was started by the Attorney General back several decades ago as a speaker’s forum and developed into what it is today… a functioning arm of the Attorney General’s Office fighting scams and harms to seniors. It has offices all over Florida. When a senior is scammed or otherwise harmed, they can come to any of our offices to make a claim. They can also enter a claim online at Seniorsvscrime.org. The claim is entered into our system and resides at both the Attorney General’s Office as well as the local SVC office. My office is located in Brownwood, Florida in the police annex building. Once a claim is submitted the voluntary “sleuths” will begin to help the senior recover their loss.

What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Seniors vs Crime?

Many seniors feel their loss is irreparable. I want them to know that most of their losses are recoverable.