FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – The Flagler County Sheriff's Office is partnering with the Florida Attorney General's Office to offer a free program for senior citizens who become prey to criminals.
The FCSO has provided office space and resources for the program to open in Flagler County.
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"I am proud to partner with the Florida Attorney General's Office to offer such a great program to our seniors," said Flagler County Sheriff James Manfre.
Seniors vs. Crime "provides direct services to seniors who have been victimized by businesses or service providers,'' said Ken Seymour, a retired South Florida detective who has helped bring the program to Flagler County. "If you feel you've been taken advantage of, cheated out of money, or someone has not delivered on what they promised, there's something you can do,'' Seymour said.
Each Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., six volunteer "senior sleuths'' will be on hand to help seniors try to resolve their case, first through informal mediation.
If a case is deemed to be criminal, it will be turned over to law enforcement officials.
Formed in 1989 by the Attorney General, Vern Thornton and the American Association of Retired Persons, the program uses retired citizens not only to educate Floridians on consumer fraud, but also to help in some consumer investigations.
In addition, the volunteers regularly conduct seminars on how seniors can protect themselves from becoming crime victims. Millions of dollars have been returned to unwitting seniors who may have been victimized.
For more information about Seniors vs. Crime, call the FCSO Palm Coast Precinct Project Office at (386) 586-2634, or online at www.seniorsvscrime.com.