Sheriff’s program, others honored

It’s a job Don Moran said he wishes didn’t need to be done, but he knows it is necessary.
And as a result, the dedicated staff of Seniors vs. Crime celebrated a milestone Tuesday of recovering more than $2 million in losses for local seniors victimized by scams, frauds and deceptive business practices.

Provided

Special to the Chronicle Steve Renico, Seniors vs. Crime deputy regional director for Region 4, presents Citrus County’s Seniors vs. Crime storefront manager Don Moran with the regional director’s award for his leadership and commitment to Seniors vs. Crime, a joint project of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Attorney General’s Office. On behalf of his staff members, Moran also accepted the project’s $2 million dollar award for the group’s successful recovery of more than $2 million in cash and/or benefits for Citrus County victims of scams, frauds and questionable business transactions.

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“I’m very proud of the unit,” Moran, Seniors vs. Crime manager, said Tuesday afternoon.
Seniors vs. Crime formed in July 2002 and since that time, Moran said a staff of about 14 volunteers has worked 1,461 cases, expending 22,231 hours without any compensation.
In addition to volunteer power, several people were recognized Tuesday at a luncheon celebration at Outback Steakhouse in Inverness for their pro bono efforts in helping Seniors vs. Crime work their cases.
Among the honored guests were Dave Hutchins, owner of Bay Area Air Conditioning and Heating, and Todd Workman, owner of Suncoast Plumbing and Electric. Moran explained that they certify work, free of charge, to make sure it is legitimate and done at a reasonable price.
Also recognized was attorney John Clardy III, who helped Seniors vs. Crime recover $343,000 for an 87-year-old Beverly Hills man.
The man reportedly said an area couple of his acquaintance had him sign three quit-claim deeds, causing him to give up all interest in his real estate holdings, plus the title for his vehicle, and sign it over to the couple.
Working closely with area physicians, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Children and Families adult services, staff members got the deeds and motor vehicle transfer signed back to the elderly man.
A lot of the time, Moran said a complaint is just a simple miscommunication or misunderstanding with businesses and several of the cases can be settled. But high-pressure sales tactics coupled with people not reading contracts as thoroughly as they should sometimes leads to situations where Seniors vs. Crime steps in to investigate.
The Seniors vs. Crime storefront, adjacent to the sheriff’s Central Ridge Area Community Resource Office in Beverly Hills, is a joint project of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Attorney General’s Office.
The project is specifically dedicated to recovering losses for seniors who have been victims of fraudulent business transactions; however, staff members do help advocate for citizens of all ages who believe they’ve been deceived by dishonest vendors, telemarketers, service providers and other types of businesses.
If you think you might be the victim of a scam, call the sheriff’s office immediately at 726-4488. Anyone wanting more information about this scam or others can call the sheriff’s office’s Seniors vs. Crime program at 249-9139. Their storefront is at 4093 N. Lecanto Highway in the Beverly Plaza in Beverly Hills. Hours of operation are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Complainants should bring with them their canceled checks, receipts, statements, contracts and other documentation for an initial interview. Once a complaint is deemed valid, staff members strive to resolve the matter favorably and in a timely manner.
Chronicle reporter Shemir Wiles can be reached at 564-2924 or swiles@chronicleonline.com.