Sheriff's Office To Host Two Public Fraud Seminars

Date Added: February 06, 2017 1:50 pm

Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

SHERIFF’S OFFICE TO HOST TWO PUBLIC FRAUD SEMINARS

Scams come in every conceivable variety. The most common ones even have names -- the sweetheart scam, the bank examiner scam, the lottery scam, the grandparents scam, the IRS scam, the pigeon drop. But they all share a common characteristic: To be successful, scams rely on their targets being so trusting that they don’t realize when someone is trying to take advantage of them.

To combat the problem, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is rolling out two public fraud seminars this month designed to help residents recognize the tell-tale signs of a scam. It’s all part of Sheriff Mike Chitwood’s pledge to engage the community in a crime-fighting partnership. “A scam is extremely difficult to solve once it’s been perpetrated,” said Sheriff Chitwood. “The best defense is to raise awareness in the public so that our residents will be less likely to become a victim in the first place.”

The seminars are free and are being held at local college campuses on both sides of the county. Sheriff Chitwood said they were scheduled on the weekend to make them as accessible as possible to the most number of people. “Public safety begins with awareness and education,” said Sheriff Chitwood. “This is information that our citizens need to help protect themselves.”

The schedule for the seminars is as follows:

Saturday, Feb. 18
9:30 a.m.-11 a.m.
Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center
President’s Banquet Room
698 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach

Saturday, Feb. 25
9:30 a.m.-11 a.m.
Stetson University
Lynn Business Center/Rinker Auditorium
Room 108
345 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand

The seminars will include prevention information regarding scams such as credit card fraud identity theft. Sheriff’s detectives will explain how various scams are run, how to recognize them and what residents should do if they become a victim. The presentations also will include actual case studies. Refreshments will be served, thanks to sponsors such as J&J Security Services Corp. and Chick-fil-A. More information about the seminars can be obtained by contacting Lieutenant Brian Henderson at (386) 254-1537, or by e-mail at BHenderson@vcso.us.