Okay, we have wonderful UPDATES; that’s right, the OurSeniors Family is getting bigger. You are correct in hearing that the OurSeniors Family has officially added OurSeniors.com. What is it, many are wondering? Now, OurSeniors will have its very own Online Store! Amazing, you will have the option to order all kinds of products in different styles and dimensions. It’s for people of all ages, not only older individuals!

OurSeniors.net, as you may be aware, is a company providing media and different helpful resources, offering details along with a network comprising reliable businesses especially designed for senior citizens in Florida. It produces a quarterly magazine, which is accessible as online version, coupled with a curated directory of dependable service providers and digital resources created to assist seniors and their family members navigate areas like health, monetary planning, and accommodations. Specifically for older people: Both the website and the physical magazine contain articles discussing relevant topics such as well-being, financial management, and life after work, alongside a directory of companies and services oriented towards the senior demographic.

Regarding family members: It functions as a valuable resource for families looking to arrange assistance for their loved ones, linking them to reputable professionals and useful services. “Authorized Service Providers”: The company assesses and confirms service providers that fulfill its standards, allowing senior citizens to feel safe when choosing to engage them. Focused on Florida: The company’s sole dedication lies in providing assistance to seniors within Florida, keeping a network of local experts and helpful resources throughout the state.

Associated Organization:

Included within the family is also www.OurSeniors.org Inc., a registered nonprofit entity as per section 501(c)(3). Also included is www.OurSeniorsDiscounts.net concentrating on making sure everyone who qualifies gets their Senior Discount, naturally! Moreover, there’s OurSeniors Radio, OurSeniors TV, and let’s not overlook the OurSeniors Mobile App. Just keep in mind that caring for OurSeniors is the key thing and, of course, yes We Love OurSeniors!

In summary: It can be done, but only if there’s a carefully planned, phased strategy with a variety of income sources (not just one quick solution), robust safeguards for education and people in need, and probably an alteration to the constitution along with state aid during the switchover. We will outline a workable plan, the income options to consider, safeguards to include, and the necessary political and legal measures, all supported by reliable data.

Important Background Information

In Florida, property taxes account for roughly half of what local governments collect, totaling more than $50 billion annually across the state, so getting rid of them would leave a significant funding gap. Yet this would only affect a fraction of that since it is meant for Homestead Exemption Properties only.
Around 46–47% of the money for Florida’s schools comes from local sources, mainly property taxes; therefore, eliminating property taxes would directly affect schools unless the state steps in to compensate.
Any broad, state-level change would almost certainly need approval from voters via a constitutional change, setting off major financial and legal changes for cities and counties.

Key Ideas for a Practical Replacement Strategy

Switch over to new income sources slowly, using a phase-out over several years instead of an immediate elimination.
Implement various income streams together to prevent any single group from being burdened with a sudden, sharp tax increase.
Ensure that schools and vital emergency services are the priority, protecting their funding with a guaranteed minimum level of state support during the change.
Develop a fairer system than simply swapping property taxes for sales taxes, aiming to protect households with lower incomes.
Allow local authorities like counties and cities to use local tax options to adjust their income according to their specific community needs.

A practical mixed-revenue strategy (example, not specific laws)

Imagine we want to change about $50 billion each year from property tax income. A realistic mixture that could work might look like this:

Expand and slightly increase the sales/use tax at the state level – for instance, raise the state tax by a few percentage points and include more services that are currently not taxed (like some professional and digital services). – Reason: sales taxes are straightforward to collect and also include tourists; expanding the tax base increases income without one massive hike. – Protections: establish refundable tax credits (like a “sales tax rebate” or a refund for low-income individuals) to balance out the effect on lower-income earners. – (Note: studies indicate that using only sales tax to replace the whole $50 billion would mean an extremely high rate – some estimates suggest doubling the current state rate – which wouldn’t be good politically or fairly, so a mixed approach is better).
Focus on taxes for tourists and visitors (like hotel taxes, fees for short-term rentals, car rental fees, and taxes for tourism development). – Reason: people from other states use Florida services but do not vote here; by raising these taxes, we can collect fees from visitors who usually avoid paying property tax. This is also easier politically than taxing residents. – Revenue impact: significant, but not too much – it could generate several billion each year when combined both at the state and local levels.
Taxes on real estate transactions or transfer taxes for high-value sales (like progressive deed or transfer taxes that apply on sales above certain amounts). – Reason: this captures extra money when properties are sold (usually by investors or wealthy buyers), leaving long-term homeowners less burdened.
New or increased local option taxes (counties and cities could add extra local sales taxes or fees for certain local services). – Reason: this respects local choice and allows communities to fund services themselves instead of depending on property tax.
A slight rise in specific business or corporate taxes (or fixing loopholes for corporations). – Reason: this makes sure that businesses benefiting from local services contribute; tax credits can be added to avoid double taxes.
Specific fees for certain services (like stormwater management, waste disposal, and fees for stronger infrastructure) – charges for clear costs incurred.
State transitional support and a funding minimum for schools: during the changeover, the state would temporarily help local school funding (FEFP) to keep things stable while new revenue sources are put in place; eventually, the new funds would be set aside to replace that support. This needs to be officially written down so that school and first-responder budgets stay secure.

Protections to prevent harm to low-income and fixed-income homeowners

A refundable circuit-breaker tax credit: a direct financial benefit for low-income families based on income rather than property value.
Expanded homestead and senior tax exemptions during the changeover to support retirees with fixed incomes.
Gradual implementation to allow households to prepare (for example, a transition period of 5 to 8 years).
Specific assistance programs (help with utilities, guaranteed school funding). (These are common strategies used in areas that move from property taxation to taxes based on consumption or transactions.)

Implementation steps (legal + practical)

A thorough study of revenue and budget gap analysis (providing annual replacement figures) carried out by the Legislature’s Economic and Demographic Research Office alongside the Department of Revenue.
Create the ballot proposal (a constitutional change if ad valorem authority is to be removed) and the transition law that defines hold-harmless/backfill processes. Approval from voters will definitely be necessary.
Enact laws for new taxes (expanding sales tax base, raising tourist taxes, introducing transfer taxes), form low-income rebates, and establish a legal guarantee for floor funding for schools.
Develop a schedule for phasing out and setting audit conditions — connect the decrease in property tax reliance to the actual new revenue gained to ensure schools and police departments avoid budget cuts.
Consultations with local governments and local option authority — allow counties and cities to impose local surtaxes or fees if needed.
Include expiration and review provisions — mandate ongoing legislative assessments and automatic adjustments if revenue does not meet expectations.

Political and distributional Reality Check

Compromises will be necessary. There is no easy fix: replacing property taxes will lead to either higher consumption taxes (more regressive without safeguards), increased tourist taxes, or elevated business taxes. The only way to prevent regressiveness is to combine tax modifications with refundable credits and targeted assistance.
Local fiscal independence would shift. Counties/cities and school districts would lack a stable local revenue source unless the state allows local options or a revenue-sharing plan. This necessitates careful governance design.
Legal and constitutional challenges are considerable — prepare for legal disputes and an intense ballot battle.

Quick checklist for a lawmaker or policy team drafting the bill

Order a complete revenue estimate for the amount needed to be replaced (by county).
Investigate combinations (sales tax + tourist taxes + transfer tax) to discover the smallest, fairest increases.
Incorporate refundable credits/circuit breakers into the bill language.
Ensure a legally protected school funding minimum during the transition.
Add a phased implementation and automatic pauses on property tax reductions if replacement revenue falls short.

Bottom line

A sudden and complete elimination of property taxes could severely reduce funding for schools, police, fire services, and infrastructure. However, a carefully phased approach with a mixed revenue system — one that raises some consumption taxes (with safety measures), increases tourist and transaction levies, provides local options, and secures school funding through the transition — could realistically replace the revenue without damaging schools and emergency services. Nonetheless, the political challenges are significant: you will need precise data, clear protections for low-income homeowners, and voter support due to constitutional and local government concerns.

Finally keep in mind that by the time you read this article the Florida Department of Government Efficiency has been auditing cities and counties and so far they have found this https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2025/governor-ron-desantis-and-cfo-blaise-ingoglia-highlight-excessive-local-government Therefore, it is important to note that there is room for improvement and smooth transition takes place to Make Florida Affordable Again.

We will leave you with this thought and its real, Abraham Hamilton, III pointed out in one of his podcasts that in the Manifesto of the Communist Party, written by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels and published in February 1848, it mentions on page 26 that: However, in most developed nations, the following ideas will mostly apply. 1. Ending ownership of land and using the income from land for public needs. Doesn’t this seem like the path we are currently on? This is the reason why there will be strong push from politicians, towns, counties, and local governments to keep property taxes. Have you ever thought about why these political groups are fighting against it and where all that money goes?

This is why you can count on OurSeniors.org a 501 c 3 not for profit, non-government organization, continue to be looking out and advocating for seniors. Check out OurSeniors.com our latest Online Store. Help support the cause!

Property fraud is a type of crime where someone wrongfully changes the ownership of a property by creating fake documents, often through stealing someone’s identity. These criminals attempt to sell, take out a loan, or lease the property, leaving the real owner to face legal issues. This problem is often hard to spot and fix and is becoming more common, especially affecting seniors.

How it works

Impersonation: A criminal uses someone else’s personal details to pretend to be the real property owner.

Forgery: They produce fake papers, such as phony deeds or driver’s licenses, to make their false claim of ownership seem real.

False Transfer: The fraudulent deed gets filed with the local authorities, unlawfully giving ownership to the scammer.

Illegitimate Actions: The con artist then sells the property, borrows money against it, or rents it out.

Types of property fraud

Home title fraud: Scammers pretend to be a homeowner to sell or borrow money against their property.

Equity skimming: A fraudster purchases a property from the owner at a price much higher than what it is really worth.

Deed fraud: Crooks use fake or altered deeds to claim a property’s title for themselves.

Real estate investment scams: Some companies may make false claims about property investments to deceive individuals out of their money.

How to protect yourself

Monitor your mail: Be cautious if you stop getting property tax bills or utility statements.

Check public records: Regularly review the official records for any unexpected changes to your property.

Protect personal information: Avoid sharing personal details over the phone or via email and responsibly dispose of private documents.

Use alert systems: Enroll in your local government’s free property fraud alert system to get updates on any new documents filed under your name. (See the Statewide Property Alert Services below.

Statewide Property Alert Services

Protect your home by enrolling in a Property Alert Service offered by various Clerks and Comptrollers across Florida. This free service informs property and business owners about possible cases of property fraud by letting subscribers know when a deed, mortgage, or other legal document is filed in their name in their local county records. If you get an alert regarding activity that you didn’t start, this early warning can give you important time to prevent criminals from succeeding.

What is Property Fraud?

Property fraud happens when someone uses a fake deed to sell or transfer property that isn’t theirs. Even though a fake document might imply that the ownership of property has changed, the local Clerk and Comptroller’s system gives the true owners a chance to reclaim their property under the correct name.

Available Statewide Property Alert Services

Here is a list of counties in Florida that offer Property Alert Services, the type of notification provided, and a link to register.

NOTE: The personal details shared through these services are not considered public information and will not lead to unwanted communications. Just go to this link and you can locate your county in Florida and sign up for Free yes, no charge. https://www.flclerks.com/page/PropertyAlertServices

“No man ever steps in the same river twice,” wrote the Greek philosopher Heraclitus over
two thousand years ago. He believed that change is the fundamental nature of the universe.

Everything flows; nothing stands still. This truth, ancient yet ever relevant, whispers to us as we approach another new year that time is a shift in numbers and life itself is in constant motion, urging us to adapt, evolve and embrace what comes next.
Even with uncertainty, growth is possible. The year ahead will bring its own tides, moments of calm, waves of challenges and opportunities to evolve. We can opt to resist or trust where it is taking us.

I don’t want to dismiss how challenging change can be. I speak from experience on this subject. The passing of my mother forced me to realize how change is constant. I was in the habit of calling her every day at 8pm to ask about her day. The days since her departure, my internal clock was a reminder of 8pm despite what I was doing at the moment. I had to evaluate aspects of my life that were not being dealt with. Change will do that for you ready or not.

On the other hand, change can also open the door to exciting new beginnings and unexpected experiences. As you read this, you might find yourself wondering: Am I open minded enough to embrace change? Have I avoided making difficult decisions because I’m afraid of the unknown?

Recognizing our fears is the first step toward moving forward. Whether it’s deciding to downsize, relocate or modify your current home to better suit your needs, embracing change begins with honesty and self-compassion. I’ve seen many seniors struggle with these decisions. Not because they don’t know what to do, but because the emotional weight of “what was” can make it hard to imagine “what’s next.” But change does not have to mean loss. It can mean freedom from maintenance, from worry, or from the isolation that sometimes comes with staying put. A move can bring new friendships, easier living, and the peace of mind that comes with living your best life today!

What if my children do not agree with my decision to move because they, too, are struggling with change? That conversation may not be an easy one, but it’s an important step that needs to happen. Honesty and openness about your feelings should be at the heat of the discussion.

Before sitting down with your children, it may be helpful to jot down your thoughts in advance. Making notes will help you express yourself clearly and focus on what truly matters: your comfort, safety and happiness. Inviting a professional into the meeting with your family to assist with questions and ease concerns.

This is why we support and we are involved with www.OurSeniors.org because they provide a range of resources for seniors, including healthcare assistance, social and educational programs, and connections to vetted local service providers. They offer a free magazine, newsletters, and podcasts, and organize events like “Lunch and Learn” sessions. The organization also focuses on helping seniors navigate the healthcare system and social services, connect with others, and find trustworthy local professionals for senior living, financial, or legal needs. To check out more resources visit: ourseniors.net or ourseniors.org and of course ourseniors.com

Retirees exploring the idea of buying a home that supports homesteading often share a similar dream: more time outdoors, more self-sufficiency, and a lifestyle shaped by meaning instead of hurry. Many are downsizing from suburban life, while others are trading city rhythms for acreage, fruit trees, or simply a peaceful workshop to tinker in. No matter what your motivation, transitioning into a homestead-friendly property requires clarity about land, climate, infrastructure, lifestyle adjustments, and long-term sustainability.

Quick Overview

Retirees seeking a homestead-ready home should focus on how the land works (soil, water, sun), how the home supports daily needs (maintenance, accessibility, systems), and how the entire property helps — rather than hinders — your preferred hobbies.

How to Read the Land Like a Lifelong Homesteader

Before you get into measurements, soil tests, or water assessments, the best first step is simply learning to observe a property the way seasoned homesteaders do. This isn’t about technical evaluation — it’s about noticing patterns the land is already expressing.

Spend time walking the space at different times of day. Listen for road noise or wind corridors. Notice where you naturally feel comfortable sitting or standing. These intuitive clues reveal far more than a checklist can capture.

A few observational cues retirees often rely on:

Light quality: Morning light is gentle; afternoon light is intense. Each has different uses in a garden.
Microclimates: A warm pocket near a wall may be perfect for herbs; a cool grove may suit berries.
Natural flow: Where do you instinctively want paths or seating areas? Does the land feel easy to move through or awkward?
Atmosphere: Some properties simply feel restful. That matters in retirement more than people admit.

Assessing a Property for Homesteading

Here’s how to quickly evaluate whether a home fits your goals:

Define your homesteading priorities – Decide whether gardening, canning, woodworking, beekeeping, poultry, or small-scale livestock will be your focus.
Match land to your hobbies – Check for sun hours, soil texture, drainage, and usable flat areas. Not all acreage is functional.
Inspect water sources – Reliable wells, irrigation access, or rainwater systems can make or break a homesteading plan.
Evaluate accessibility – Consider stairs, walkway surfaces, distance between garden areas, and ease of moving tools around.
Assess outbuildings – Look for barns, sheds, greenhouses, or shop spaces in good condition — replacing them is costly.
Review long-term maintenance demands – Larger plots need upkeep. Ensure the workload aligns with your energy, budget, and future mobility.

What Homesteading Really Feels Like Once You Live It Every Day

Homesteading looks peaceful from a distance. Up close, it’s rhythmic, physical, and occasionally messy. For retirees, this is a benefit — purposeful activity contributes to longevity, mobility, and mental health. Yet it’s still essential to choose a property that won’t overwhelm you.

Some days you’ll be harvesting tomatoes; other days you’ll be repairing a fence in the heat. A manageable property size makes the difference between a fulfilling routine and a burdensome strain.

And then there’s community. Rural or semi-rural areas often rely on neighbor networks for tool sharing, knowledge exchange, and occasional helping hands. When reviewing potential homes, consider not just the property but the people around it.

Turning Homesteading Into a Small Business

Many retirees eventually monetize their hobbies — selling produce, eggs, baked goods, furniture, or handmade crafts. Starting small often works best: a weekend farm stand, a seasonal CSA box, or a booth at local markets. This approach helps you understand demand, refine your offerings, and enjoy the social side of entrepreneurship.

If you plan to build a hobby into a real business, it can be helpful to strengthen your management foundation. Try earning a business management degree — consider this option to expand your leadership, operations, and project-management capabilities. Many retirees appreciate that online programs create flexibility, making it easier to balance continued learning with running a small enterprise.

FAQs

Q: Is homesteading realistic for someone in their 60s or 70s?
A: Yes, with the right scale. Smaller, smarter layouts reduce physical strain while still offering the joy of gardening, animals, and hands-on work.

Q: How much land do I actually need?
A: Many retirees do well with 1–3 acres. Larger spaces are doable but often require additional equipment or hired help.

Q: What about accessibility concerns as I age?
A: Look for wide paths, level entryways, raised beds, and proximity between essential areas. These reduce long-term mobility challenges.

Q: Is rural healthcare a concern?
A: It can be. Review hospital distance, emergency services, and specialists before deciding.

Hidden Costs to Budget For

Well pump repair or replacement
Soil amendments and compost
Irrigation system setup
Fencing repairs after storms
Tools, fuel, and ongoing equipment maintenance
Occasional professional help for tree work or heavy lifting

Wrapping It Up

Buying a home that supports homesteading in retirement is less about acreage and more about suitability. When the land matches your energy, your hobbies, and your long-term plans, homesteading can become a deeply satisfying part of life. Take the time to evaluate not just the home but the lifestyle it supports. With the right property, you’ll enjoy years of purpose, creativity, and homegrown abundance. If you are in Florida and looking for a place contact Dulce Monahan directly at 386-852-9420 or check her here: https://ourseniors.net/services/real-estate/united-states/florida/ormond-beach/adams-cameron-co-realtors/ she is an Approved Vendor with over 22 years of experience.

As we move through life, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by our everyday tasks, obligations, and goals. However, amidst the busyness, we must remember the individuals who have been our support from the beginning – our parents. They were there for us when we sought advice, love, and care. Now, it’s our responsibility to give back and support them, particularly as they get older and may need additional assistance.

Looking after elderly parents is more than just a responsibility; it’s a heartfelt way to show love and appreciation. Our parents nurtured us, equipped us with the knowledge and skills to face the world, and set the groundwork for our stability. Now, it’s our job to make sure they feel secure, loved, and appreciated.

Here are some important ways to support and care for your parents:

Consistent Communication: Keeping in touch with your parents is important, even if you are not close by. Plan regular phone calls or video chats to check in, see how they are doing, and talk about any significant topics.

Help with Everyday Activities: As our parents grow older, they might start finding it hard to manage daily activities like cleaning, shopping for groceries, or handling their finances. Offering assistance with these tasks can reduce their stress and show your concern.
Healthcare Assistance: Going with your parents to doctor’s visits and helping them with their medications can help ensure they get the medical attention they need.

Emotional Care: Elderly parents may feel lonely, anxious, or sad. Being present to listen, provide support, and offer comfort can significantly improve their emotional well-being.

Honor Their Independence: While offering help is key, it’s also important to respect your parents’ independence and their ability to make choices. Support them in keeping their autonomy and control over their lives.

Spend Quality Time: Dedicating quality time to your parents by doing things they enjoy and creating special memories can enhance their lives and strengthen your relationship.

Discuss Future Plans: It’s crucial to talk about your parents’ future plans, including where they will live, their financial stability, and their wishes as they age. Being involved in these conversations can help them feel secure.

Support Your Parents: It’s essential to understand that caring for your parents can be emotionally, physically, and financially challenging. Seeking assistance from other family members, professional caregivers, or support groups can provide the help you need as you take on this role.

In summary, being there for your parents as they age is a valuable and fulfilling duty. By providing love, care, and assistance, we can ensure that our parents feel cherished and appreciated in their later years. Keep in mind that the time and effort you devote to caring for your parents can greatly affect their happiness and quality of life. Let’s ensure they feel as loved and supported as they have made us feel during our lives.
If your parents are in Florida and you and your family are not, don’t hesitate to tap into OurSeniors.org a 501 c 3 not for profit resources so you can stay informed and be there for your parents with the right resources. From Magazine, to Radio Podcasts, Online Store, Crossword Puzzles etc. There are also plenty of vetted Approved Vendors that can be there to guide and assist you through this time. Remember they were there for you, the least we can do is to be there for them.

Scammers are quite ingenious, but they can be stopped in their tracks if we do our homework and stay one step ahead of their devious plots and ploys. Among the many standard fraud avoidance resources including local police agencies, banking institutions, newspapers, television and radio news outlets, the following entities should also be on your contact list:
The Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (fbi.gov)
The Better Business Bureau (bbb.org)
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (1 800 2fannie)
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
The Social Security Administration (ssa.gov)
The U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov)
The Office of the Controller of the Currency (occ.gov)
The Federal Communications Commission (fcc.gov)
The Office of Justice Programs (ojp.gov)
AARP Magazine/Fraud Watch Network (aarp.org)
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (acfe.com)
National Council on the Aging (ncoa.org)
The Three Credit Bureaus (Equifax, Experion, TransUnion)
Life Senior Services (lifeseniorservices.org)
American Bankers Association (aba.com)
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: “Fraud Prevention Toolkit” (cms.gov)
USDA Food and Nutrition Center (www.fns.usda.gov)
United States Postal Inspection Service (uspis.gov)
Microsoft (support.microsoft.com)
Take Five to Stop Fraud (takefive-stopfraud.org)
Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General (oig.hhs.gov)
Consumer Advocate (consumeradvocate.org)
Synovus “Elder Fraud” (synovus.com)
Amazon Fraud Prevention (amazon.com)
The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (dfpi.gov)
The U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)
American Bar Association: Elder Fraud Prevention (americanbar.org)
Consumer Reports (consumerreports.org)
Airlines Reporting Corporation (2.arccorp.com)
Federal Housing Finance Agency (fhfaoig.gov)
Fannie Mae “Mortgage Fraud Protection” (single.family.fasnniemae.com)
Office of Victims of Crime (ovc.ojp.gov)
Senior Medicare Patrol (smpresource.org)
Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
National Insurance Crime Bureau (ncib.org)
McAfee (mcafee.com)
Android Authority “mobile phones” (androidauthority.com)
National Cybersecurity Center (ncsc.gov)
United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (unodc.org)
Merrill Lynch (www.ml.com)
Western Union (westernunion.com)
Apple Support (support.apple.com)
FedEx (fedex.com)
United Parcel Service (ups.com)
Norton Anti-Virus (us.norton.com)
Seniors Vs Crime Project (seniorsvscrime.com)

These and other agencies offer a treasure-trove of information on how to stay one step ahead of the scammer’s deadly reach. One of the most important ways of staying one step ahead of the scammer’s reach is to do your homework and get the low down on which scams are heading your way. By simply directing your mouse to one of the above websites, gives you the unique capability of being able to spot an on-coming fraud-related tragedy before it hits you head-on. Each of the above websites offer important nuggets of scam-related wisdom and suggestions on how to avoid becoming a victim.

Fifteen universal nuggets of wisdom on staying scam free:
If the endeavor is too good to be true – it probably is not
What a lesson we learn when we do not pay attention
Never get caught flat-footed
If you seek the best, you will find it
Luck helps those who help themselves
Learn from the “paralyzing principal” I should have, I could have
You will always find solutions in the windmills of your mind
Patience is always a form of action or inaction
Facts first, decisions later
Genius is to reduce the complicated to the simple
Because you can, should not mean you should
Even wise men can be wrong
Never exhibit inaction in the face of need
Success is never owned, only rented
NEVER SIMPLY TRUST, ALWAYS VERIFY!

Conclusion:
Scam prevention begins and ends with always doing your homework and checking for the latest scam-avoidance news. Scammers are always coming up with new and innovative strategies for separating you from your personal information and your hard-earned money. It’s your job to stay one step ahead of these miscreants. It also helps to remember the ABCs of scam avoidance:
Never freely give out your personal information
Always check your credit reports for inconsistencies
Always report fraudulent activity
Always keep passwords and pin numbers secure
Always enroll in 2-sttep authentication programming
Always use WIFI safely
Always secure chipped credit instruments in RFID protected wallets and handbags
Always refrain from storing passwords for easy future access
Enroll in the U.S. Postal Service’s “Informed Delivery Program”
Always follow your instincts
Don’t’ be too quick to CLICK, CLICK, CLICK!

Anthony J. Luizzo, PhD, CFE
Investigative Sleuth / Lecturer
Seniors Vs Crime Project: A Special Program of the Florida Attorney General
Volusia County Office
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
724 Big Tree Road
South Daytona Florida
407 537-9509
volusia@svcproject.org