A thread for Sarasota/Bradenton area scams

[wondermint2]

Sarasota Police Department warning: look out for tech support scams

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/techn...dadb7ce9&ei=45

The Sarasota Police Department is issuing a crucial warning to our community regarding a widespread tech support scam that has recently emerged. Scammers are using deceptive email pop-ups on computers to solicit victims into contacting fraudulent tech support services.

[wondermint2]

Did this company have customers in the Sarasota area?

AG Moody goes after Florida pool company accused of leaving customers high and dry

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/comp...060bcdd6&ei=39

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a civil complaint Monday against a Gulf Coast pool company and its owner for leaving jobs incomplete despite taking large upfront payments, a matter first exposed in a Better Call Behnken investigation.

According to the AG’s office, Cox Pools of the Gulf Coast, LLC, and its owner, Hillary Bello, accepted payments from at least 27 customers who were promised construction services but were left with unfinished pools or holes in their backyards instead.

Moody said, “Cox Pools and its owner ripped off more than 25 Florida consumers, taking more than $1.5 million and never finishing the agreed-upon jobs.”

An investigation also revealed that the company refused to issue refunds for consumers with abandoned work.

[wondermint2]

Seems kind of odd that problems are occurring at more than one Honest Abe franchise throughout Florida because the franchises are indepently owned & operated. Maybe there is one rotten owner that owns more than one franchise?

‘Sleepless nights’: Multiple customers of roofing company have liens placed on homes

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/sl...47dfd8dd&ei=24

A growing number of customers from Honest Abe Roofing Tampa are calling Better Call Behnken about liens filed on their homes by suppliers who claim the roofing company failed to pay them.

With no one answering phones at the Tampa office, concerned customers called Consumer Investigator Shannon Behnken for help.

“Sleepless nights. Lots of sleepless nights,” said Joseph Bucaro, a New Port Richey homeowner who has received a $17,000 lien on his property.

Bucaro says he went with Honest Abe because they were already doing his neighbor’s roof and they offered a lifetime warranty with periodic checkups by their professionals.

His $56,000 roof was installed in August, and last week both he and his neighbor received liens filed against their properties by a supplier claiming materials weren’t paid for by Honest Abe Roofing Tampa.

In Clearwater, Tracey Hayes received a lien, too. Hers is for more than $8,000. She says she tried to call a corporate office but was told franchises, in six different states, are all independently owned.

Behnken reached out to the owner of the Tampa franchise, Cortni Lewis. She said she had no comment at this time.

Better Call Behnken reached Aaron Ellis, Chief Marketing Officer for Honest Abe Roofing Franchise. He confirmed each office is independently owned and operated. He said his office is getting calls from upset consumers in Florida and is working to help them.

He went on to say he has recently been made aware of issues at the Tampa and Jacksonville locations, with customers complaining of liens and being unable to reach the company. He said he is not sure if the Tampa office will remain open or not but is working to get answers.

[wondermint2]

Bradenton woman gets prison time after $10 million investment scam, prosecutors say

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other...ay/ar-AA1jmki2

A Bradenton woman has been sentenced to nine years in prison for wire fraud and money laundering after prosecutors say she spent nearly $10 million on luxury purchases for herself.

Prosecutors say 46-year-old Lori Ann Nademus solicited people to invest in fraudulent high-yield investment programs and then and used those funds to support her own extravagant lifestyle instead of delivering on the agreed-upon terms.

[wondermint2]

200 Credit Cards Opened In Identity Theft Scheme: Sarasota Sheriff

Five people were charged and there are outstanding warrants for eight suspects in an identity theft scheme, Sarasota County sheriff said.

For full article:

https://patch.com/florida/sarasota/a...rasota-sheriff

Five people who are members of the Nelson Group face charges related to an identity theft scheme, according to a Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office news release.

The agency worked with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on the investigation, which was opened in 2022 after SCSO received multiple identity theft reports from residents.

The victims reported that their personal identification had been compromised, and more than 200 credit card accounts were opened without their consent at various financial institutions, the sheriff’s office said.

[wondermint2]

Senior citizens beware: crypto scams are on the rise

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2023/11/0...outputType=amp

Sarasota County deputies want you to know: cryptocurrency scams are on the rise.

What it looks like:

-someone encouraging you to send cryptocurrency to fix a virus on your computer

-someone telling you that the only way to protect your money is to make deposits into crypto ATMs

-someone asking you to lie to the bank or else keep your crypto purchases a secret

-someone asking you to send cryptocurrency purchased at an ATM

-someone promising high returns on a cryptocurrency investment

-someone allegedly representing law enforcement or the government, calling and asking for crypto to pay off warrants and fines, or else to bond a relative out of jail

Deputies advise that anybody with any information should call immediately to report these scams.