Tuesday, November 27, 2012

7 Common Snowbird Scams

It's not just retirees who flock to warm-weather states such as Florida and Arizona as the temperature drops up north. During snowbird season — November through April — scammers also head south to prey on the half-year residents.

"Absolutely, during snowbird season there's an increase in scams — and many are done by organized outfits ... who specifically target older seasonal residents," says Joe Roubicek, who spent 20 years investigating scams as a Fort Lauderdale police detective before writing Financial Abuse of the Elderly: A Detective's Case Files of Exploitation Crimes.

1. The malevolent mechanic. They wait outside shopping malls or supermarkets, watching for snowbirds (often recognized by out-of-state license plates) to park and go inside. If the car's older or left unlocked, they can pop the hood and disable the vehicle by pulling wires. "When the elder returns, they offer help getting their car started — after driving them to the bank for money to pay for the repair," says Roubicek. "Their main target: women in their 70s or 80s."

Full Article and Source:
7 Common Snowbird Scams

See Also:




Financial Abuse of the Elderly







Read Sample Chapters of Mr. Roubicek's New Work in Progress: "Kill Mom, Kill Dad; Disposing of the Elderly for Profit"

12 comments:

Thelma said...

Great book by a great guy!

StandUp said...

I am so glad to see different media taking advantage of Joe Roubicek's expertise!

And I'm excited about his new book too!

Sue said...

I agree Thelma Joe Roubicek is one of the very very few professionals who are giving a voice to those who have been silenced, disregarded and discarded and worse yet eliminated via intentional homicide for profit or for some other devious self-serving reasons.

Go Joe!!!

Trisha said...

I talked to a lawyer in FL not long ago and he said the state is basically not safe for old and vulnerable people.

It's a crying shame but I'm also glad there are people like Mr. Roubieck out there educating people.

Mike said...

Mr Roubicek, if you were to classify guardianship abuse, co you think you would you call it a scam or a crime?

Karen said...

I can't wait for the new book. What a title! And I hope guardianship is included as that's the ultimate "for profit"

Allison said...

Joe Roubicek has my support. I got alot from his first book and I bet his second will be even better!

Joecitizen said...

Mike, Actual guardianship abuse would primarily be a crime and multiple criminal laws could be used when prosecuting it in any state... but of course it can also be considered a scam because it involves deception....and if there is a public guardian assigned, corruption laws would apply. (Such a windy response!) Thank you everyone for your comments and I'll be posting chapter 3 in a few weeks, guaranteed to start the process of addressing guardianship and probate corruption.

Anonymous said...

I know it's happening everywhere, but I'm with Trish and I think Florida has become a dangerous place to live.

Terry said...

Joe is on the go! Congratulations!

Sylvia said...

Thank you Joe the anticipation for the publication of your new book is overwhelming.

Finny said...

I appreciate Joe Roubicek commenting on the NASGA blog post too. It's good to know how involved he is monitoring the internet for information on financial exploitation, etc.