I imagine we take better note of our seniors being taken advantage of as we age. Now that I'm approaching 60, it hits me differently from when I was in my 20s or 30s.
Especially here in Florida -- the land of retirees is a target for con artists and shysters purposefully misleading elders. We have more than five million seniors as neighbors, friends, and family.
Data indicates an uptick in older Florida residents falling victim to contractor fraud. Some families have lost their homes as a result.
The Homeowners Construction Recovery Fund (HCRF) offers an avenue of potential relief. This fund was established by the Florida Legislature in 1993 and is crucial in supporting homeowners defrauded by licensed contractors.
At least 12 or 13 couples were able to get some money back through the Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund, a special account set up by the Florida Legislature in 1993 to compensate those who suffer monetary damages as a result of violations by licensed contractors.
The escalation of contractor fraud is apparent in the increase in headlines regarding illicit activities. One of the largest scams in Florida's history involves a Miami Real Estate developer accused of leaving buyers and investors with losses exceeding $72 million.
Unfortunately, the $500,000 aggregate cap on the Homeowner Construction Recovery Fund only covered one claimant.
Another headline-making case highlighted a fraudulent pool contracting scheme. Deposits were taken but work was not performed or contracts went unfulfilled. Pool contractor Brian Washburn faced charges of orchestrating a scheme to defraud and two counts of money laundering exceeding $100,000.
For swindling millions from unsuspecting customers in his fraudulent pool contracting plan, Washburn was sentenced to 30 years.
Protect Yourself
The Better Business Bureau offers a free and easy-to-access scam tool. You can Report a Scam or Lookup a Scam. Be aware of senior family members and neighbors who may fall victim to these predators.
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Senior Protection Team is an intra-agency group of experts working together to fight fraud. Leading members from the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Protection, Consumer Protection Division, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and Office of Citizen Services are the backbone of this team of qualified helpers.
Seniors v. Crime and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement may actively assist in investigations and outreach. Together, all entities develop strategies to protect Floridians 60 and older against fraud.
"This team of highly-skilled attorneys and investigators is laser-focused on identifying, investigating, and eliminating fraud and abuse harming Florida seniors. More than five million seniors call Florida home. Many of these great Americans have served our country and economy in countless ways. We owe it to them to make sure they can enjoy their golden years free from the threat of financial exploitation and physical abuse." - Ashley Moody, Florida Attorney General
The Senior Protection Team attempts to identify emerging scams, look for trends, and keep tabs on changes in technology used to prey on seniors. Information is readily available on what to look for and how to determine if one of our seniors is being scammed.
Information for proactive and preventative measures is also available against senior scams.
Florida Statute 817.234 notes that “a contractor, or a person acting on behalf of a contractor, may not knowingly or willfully and with intent to injure, defraud, or deceive, pay, waive, or rebate all or part of an insurance deductible applicable to payment to the contractor, or a person acting on behalf of a contractor, for repairs to property covered by a property insurance policy.”
To report an emergency please call 911. To report any nonemergency scam or abuse, please call (866) 9NO-SCAM or file a complaint here.
oh I'm not paying the guy who painted my house because they don't like the color. the color they picked out !!!! how about the landlords who don't pay HOA dues then tenant has to pay HOA the rent then the landlord tries to evict you for not paying him the rent. how about men playing in women's sports. if the homeowners paid the contractor for the work they did there wouldn't be this problem!!!!
James Slezak
06-13
the majority of the time it's the homeowner trying to screw the contractor and the contractor walks away !!!!!! this is a civil matter not a criminal matter!!!! how about you throw the homeowners in jail that don't pay the contractor!!!! how about you charge the homeowners with theft of services when they don't pay the landscaper, or they stop payment on check they write to a/c guy.
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