Special Concerns
This is a section of the web site where we list information about events,
organizations, or situations that can use volunteer help.
Our senior community is based on the strengths of our
individual members. If each of us contributes a small portion of our time and talents, we can continue to make the SCCA a
great place to live.
Contact the Board of Directors or the Webmaster if you or your organization would like to
participate in this endeavor.
Construction & Handyman FraudSome SCCA property owners have been scammed into paying thousands of dollars
to con artists posing as handymen and yard maintenance people. These crooks demand cash up front as a deposit or to purchase
materials, and never perform the work they were paid to do. Some of the flyer's passed out by these rip-off artists even
state they are NOT licensed contractors.
If you are contacted by any company offering to do yard work or home
maintenance, verify that the company is legitimate. Check for a current, valid business license, contractor's license,
or call the local Sheriff's Department. Don't be bullied - if you are being threatened or intimidated because you
refuse to hire these people, call the Sheriff's Department and report them.
By Janet Hale, Coordinator – C.A.R.E. Program(C.A.R.E is a program
of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors)Be careful of unsolicited contact at your home. Whether a
telemarketer is on the phone or a door to door salesman is offering you a deal, be on guard. Remember how important "first
impressions" are and that the stranger may be sizing you up.
Something as simple as agreeing to have someone
paint house numbers on your curb may lead to high pressure tactics and the solicitation of a donation. The request for a donation
may unnerve you. You thought it was "free" but now you feel rattled and may end up paying for the "free"
service or "donating" much more than what the job was worth. You will feel like a victim the minute you agree to
the payment but at least the salesman finally left or hung-up. You have been targeted and it may be just the beginning of
more to come.
Unsolicited contact sometimes leads to disaster. Victims fall prey to home repair fraud, illegal
sales practices, shoddy work, overcharging, unlicensed contractors, and various other scams. The scams are sometimes related
to the home repair industry. Recently law enforcement arrested a former home repair employee who was systematically targeting
seniors for bogus "loans" using sob stories meant to loosen seniors’ grips on their wallets.
This
scenario recently repeated itself when a door to door vacuum cleaner salesman began asking seniors to "invest" in
his business. This salesman was practiced and convinced numerous seniors to give up thousands of dollars so he could purchase
a large inventory of vacuums. This salesman was operating "over the top" and while the loans were confirmed by a
promissory note, there is no guarantee that the senior investors will ever get a dime back. They were duped by an expert in
manipulation.
Of course there are many reputable products, salesmen and others whose work is excellent, but please
beware because door to door sales is an opportunity that can be used against you.
Tips
for Fraud PreventionPlan ahead. Know which services you want or need.
Always take time to make
a decision. Legitimate businesses won’t pressure you to decide quickly. It’s not rude to wait and think about
an offer.
Don’t get involved in additional transactions with someone you barely know. A vacuum cleaner salesman
is NOT a financial adviser!!
Don’t give up personal information about yourself, your social security number,
drivers’ license number or account information. Your personal information can be used to gain access to your credit.
Protect YOUR information.
For more information, or to report a possible scam:
National Fraud Information
Center – 1-800-876-7060
The C.A.R.E. Program
(951) 791-3568-Hemet
(951) 863-7661-Indio
Better Business Bureau – (951)825-7280
(951) 245-3323-Lake Elsinore
(951) 955-2662-Jurupa
(951)95186-6828-Moreno
Valley
Your Local Law Enforcement Agency or FBI
Elder Abuse Hotline - 1-800-491-7123
Sun City Crime Watch Needs VolunteersThe familiar Sun City Crime Watch cars patrolling the community are
staffed by an all volunteer organization. Those involved are both men and women, working with the Riverside County Sheriff's
Department to prevent and/or deter crime in the Sun City area.
Volunteers are needed to fill positions as Crime
Watch vehicle drivers, observers, (passenger with driver), and base operators. Each volunteer will be trained according to
the position wanted. It is an "observe and report" (by radios in vehicles to base operators) operation. Volunteers
DO NOT physically get involved.
Sun City Crime Watch volunteers also assist in community activities, work with
the Sun City Emergency Preparedness Committee, and currently are working with the Menifee Valley Graffiti Task Force, reporting
graffiti sightings.
By joining, you will not only become familiar with the Sun City area, but you will meet many
great people who are also concerned about their community. If you are at least 50 years old and reside in, or around the immediate
vicinity of Sun City and can devote 3 hours per week to this community service, call Sun City Crime Watch at 679-7031 for
an
application or additional information.
Sun City Crime Watch is a non-profit organization run entirely by
donations. Please give, if you can't serve.
Mail donations to:
Sun City Crime Watch
PO Box 221
Sun City, Ca. 92586
951-679-7031
Sun City Civic Association
26850 Sun City Blvd
Sun City, CA 92586
(951) 679-2311
