No Matter Your Age, Scammers Can Catch You by Surprise

Donna Nichols • July 9, 2024
A red warning sign with an exclamation point and the word scam.

I found this in Seniors Today and thought it very blog-worthy. It comes straight from our very own Sheriff Chitwood and with all the scams going on everyday I also deem it appropriate. I hope it makes you realize you are not alone if you have succumbed to these scammers out there and makes you understand just how good they are and how aware you must be each day. NEVER give your information to anyone. Should you receive such a call, hang up, call your bank and ask them!


This week, an unfortunate soul in west Volusia contacted the Sheriff’s Office to report being a victim of fraud: He’d received a phone call from his bank alerting him that someone had used his bank card for a $300 purchase.


The caller stated he worked at Wells Fargo Bank, our victim's bank. The caller assured him the bank would handle the fraudulent charges. First, they asked for the victim's personal bank information and full access to his phone settings.


He provided all the financial information a scammer would need to help himself to our victim's bank accounts. At the urging of the caller, our victim, who is in his early 20s, transferred a large sum from his checking account to another account. He promptly observed it disappearing from that account.


Our victim's next call was to his bank, to ask about the teller he spoke to, and learned the bank had not contacted him and was unaware of his missing money.

The victim wants to pursue criminal charges and we have an active investigation under way.


Unfortunately, this kind of scam happens regularly to people of all ages here in Volusia County. Some people have lost thousands of dollars, believing they're receiving a legitimate call from their banking institution. So, they follow directions until they realize they've been had.


We all need to educate ourselves and be vigilant, to avoid falling for these kinds of schemes that keep happening.


Tips: Here are some basic tips to avoid becoming a scam victim:


If you don't recognize the caller's number, don't answer it. They can leave a message if it's important. If they don't, you probably escaped a potential scam.


Never give out your financial or personal information over the phone-such as your birthday, Social Security number, bank account numbers, and more. Even or especially to someone who claims they're calling from your bank. They're likely an imposter. If you fear there might be a problem with your account, go to your bank in person. Check your accounts online yourself. If you're not sure, run it by someone you trust. Or our non-emergency dispatch number: 386.248.1777. Or 911 in an emergency.


Don't be rushed into making a mistake by someone who could be a scammer. Think before you act. This could be a scam. Don't fall for it.


Signs to watch for:


Have you received:


•          Unsolicited calls or emails.

•          High-pressure tactics or offers that seem too good to be true.

•          Threats of loss or risk if you don't take immediate action, even including arrest.

•          Requests for immediate payment by wire transfer, credit, prepaid debt, or especially gift cards.


Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody's website myfloridalegal.com features helpful programs with information about common scams. One program is  Scams At A Glance and includes down­loadable brochures in English and Spanish to teach consumers how to avoid becoming a fraud victim. The other program is Consumer Alert. To view recent Consumer Alerts, visit: My FloridaLegal.com/ConsumerAlert


It's easy to fall victim to scams like we've described, but you don't have to! If you're unsure, ask a trusted friend or family member, or call the Sheriff's Office at 386.248.1777 or 911 in an emergency. We're always glad to help.


Please stay savvy and stay safe,

Sheriff Mike Chitwood

Holiday Visits: How to Spot Changes in a Loved One’s Needs

By Donna Nichols • December 2, 2025
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Gratitude in Every Season

By Donna Nichols • November 13, 2025
As Thanksgiving approaches, we’re reminded that gratitude isn’t just a holiday tradition — it’s a way of life. At Assisted Senior Services, we see it daily: in the quiet strength of caregivers, the wisdom of our seniors, and the small moments that make a big difference. We believe gratitude is more than a feeling. It’s a practice. A way of seeing the world, even in challenging times. For seniors, caregivers, and families, this season can stir a mix of emotions. There may be joy in gathering, but also grief, fatigue, or change. That’s why we hold space for all of it — and honor the quiet strength it takes to keep showing up with love. Gratitude doesn’t erase hardship, but it helps us carry it. It reminds us that even in uncertainty, there are still ordinary gifts: a warm hand to hold, a shared laugh, a moment of peace. Whether you’re caring for a loved one, navigating new challenges, or simply pausing to reflect, this season invites us to slow down and appreciate the ordinary gifts around us — a warm smile, a shared story, a helping hand. We are grateful for: • The families who trust us to walk alongside them, through transitions and triumphs. • The caregivers who show up with compassion and grace. • The caregivers who offer comfort, dignity, and patience every single day. • The seniors who teach us resilience, humor, and the value of every day – reminding us of what really matters. This Thanksgiving, we honor your journey. We celebrate your courage. And we’re here to support you — not just during the holidays, but all year long. So, whether your Thanksgiving is bustling or quiet, traditional or tender, we hope you find something to hold onto — and someone to hold it with. From all of us at Assisted Senior Services, thank you for being part of our community. We’re honored to support you, and we wish you a season filled with warmth, connection, and care. Happy Thanksgiving!

The Quiet Echo of Love: Grieving in Our Senior Years

By Donna Nichols • November 5, 2025
A Tender Season for Tender Hearts As the holidays approach, grief can feel especially sharp. The empty chair at the table, the missing voice in a favorite carol, the traditions once shared—all can stir deep memories and longing. This season, give yourself permission to feel it all. Whether you're lighting a candle in remembrance or simply sitting quietly with your thoughts, know that your love still lives at every moment you honor it. You're not alone in this. Many are walking through the holidays with tender hearts, and together, we can find comfort, connection, and peace. When Someone You Love Is Gone: Grief in Our Later Years As we grow older, we come to understand life in ways we never could when we were young. We learn what truly matters. We value time, quiet moments, and the people who’ve shared the journey with us. And sometimes, we find ourselves facing one of life’s most difficult truths: saying goodbye to someone we’ve loved for decades. Loss in our later years feels different, whether it’s a spouse, a sibling, a lifelong friend, or a partner in the everyday routines of life. It comes after a shared history, after raising families, building homes, facing hard times, and celebrating joys. When that kind of bond is broken, the world doesn’t just feel quieter. It feels unfamiliar. A Different Kind of Grief Grief in our senior years carries a certain weight. It’s not just about the person we’ve lost—it’s about the life we built with them—the morning coffee routines, the inside jokes no one else would understand, the hand we held through every season of life. It’s also about identity. Many lose someone they love and a part of who they were when they were with them. There’s no time limit to this kind of sorrow. Some days, we might feel strong and steady. Other days, a photograph or a familiar song can bring us to our knees. That’s the nature of deep love—it echoes. Quiet Spaces After a loss, the house can feel too big. The calendar is too empty. Conversations can feel lonelier without the one who always knew what to say—or when not to say anything. But it’s okay to feel those things. You’re not doing anything wrong if grief lingers. You’re not expected to "move on" in any set amount of time. Some losses become part of who we are. We carry the people we love with us—not just in memory but in the way we live—in the recipes we still make, the phrases we still say, and the stories we still tell. Finding Comfort, Bit by Bit There may come a day when you feel the sun again—not just on your skin, but in your spirit. A day when the laughter of grandchildren warms something inside you. When you speak your loved one’s name and smile instead of crying. These moments are not betrayals of your grief. They’re signs of your love still growing, still finding new ways to live in the world. You are allowed joy, rest, and the ability to miss them forever while still living a beautiful life. You’re Not Alone If you’re walking through grief now, take heart in knowing you’re not walking alone. In these later chapters of life, many of us are navigating the same path. And sometimes, just speaking their name or sharing a story over a cup of tea can make all the difference. Let others in. Join a group, call an old friend, or write down your thoughts. Sometimes, healing comes not from forgetting but from remembering—together. Because love doesn't end. Not with age. Not with time. Not even with death. It simply changes shape and stays with us, always. Assisted Senior Services hosts a grief support group on the first Wednesday of each month at All Saints Lutheran Church, 751 Dunlawton Ave., Port Orange, FL. The group begins at 5:00 p.m. Please join us should you need support; it is free to attend.