Elder Fraud Crisis
Florida Couple Loses All to Elder Fraud as State Faces Over 88,000 Annual Cases
Florida ranks second in the nation for elder fraud, with seniors losing more than $335 million in a single year, according to Florida Sheriffs Association. The crisis affects over 88,000 victims annually nationwide, and Florida — home to roughly 5 million seniors — bears a disproportionate share of the damage.
One Ormond Beach couple lost their home, car, and more than $100,000 in life savings after a trusted real estate agent turned predator. The case has put a human face on what the FBI calls a national epidemic — and pushed Florida lawmakers to act.
Real Estate Agent Drains Couple's Accounts and Properties
Jason Valiant, a 45-year-old Flagler County real estate agent, was hired to manage an elderly Ormond Beach couple's properties after they fell ill. Between February and November 2024, he allegedly forged documents to make himself their health care surrogate and power of attorney, according to FOX 35 Orlando.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood announced Valiant's arrest on December 5, 2024. Chitwood said Valiant drained the couple's bank accounts, stole their car, and willed their home and two additional properties — worth $1.6 million combined — to himself. "This is one of the most cold-blooded, heartless cases of elder exploitation I've ever seen," Chitwood said. The couple was left without electricity and required emergency state assistance.
Why Florida Seniors Are a Prime Target for Fraudsters
Florida's senior population makes it a magnet for scammers. Seniors make up 21% of the state's population, per the U.S. Census. FBI Miami Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Veltri has noted that criminals target older adults because they "tend to be trusting and polite," according to News-Press.
Nationally, seniors reported $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Experts warn the real number is far higher. The National Council on Aging estimates only 1 in 24 cases is ever reported, meaning the 88,000 annual victim count is a significant undercount.
Florida Lawmakers Push New Protections After Surge in Cases
The Florida Legislature responded to rising elder fraud with Senate Bill 106, introduced in March 2025. The law, effective July 1, 2025, makes it easier to serve legal papers on anonymous online scammers. It also requires that disputed funds be frozen for 30 days while investigators look into a case, according to Palm Beach Post.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody's Senior Protection Team has also stepped up prosecutions. "We owe it to them to make sure they can enjoy their golden years free from the threat of financial exploitation," Moody has said publicly. Advocates say enforcement alone is not enough. AARP frames elder fraud as a public health crisis, pointing to studies linking financial scams to faster cognitive decline and shorter life expectancy.
Trusted Insiders Are Increasingly the Ones Committing Fraud
Law enforcement officials say a troubling shift is underway. Scammers are no longer just anonymous overseas hackers. Sheriff Chitwood and other officials warn that realtors, lawyers, and caregivers — people seniors already trust — are increasingly the ones committing exploitation. The Valiant case is a clear example of that pattern.
Financial institutions have also come under scrutiny. Banks often classify fraudulent wire transfers as "authorized" because the senior sent the money voluntarily, even if under deception. This makes recovery nearly impossible for victims. AARP and elder care advocates are pushing for laws that would force banks to flag and hold suspicious transfers before the money disappears.
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