Florida real estate agent allegedly scammed an elderly couple out of $1.6 million in property when they became sick
A real estate agent in Florida has been arrested and is facing multiple charges, according to Fox 35 Orlando, following what authorities described as an “elaborate scam” in which an elderly couple lost their savings and properties.
Officials allege Jason Valiant, 45, listed himself as the power of attorney and health care surrogate of an Ormond Beach couple, using fraudulent documents, when they became sick and were hospitalized. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood told the local broadcaster a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order for one of the victims was signed, and they were later removed from life support.
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“This is pure, pure evil,” Chitwood said in a story broadcast by Fox 35 on Dec. 6.
What happened?
It all started when the couple hired Valiant to sell property, Chitwood says. But instead of selling, he apparently provided the couple with fake, low offers, including one from his own real estate company.
At some point, the couple became sick and both were hospitalized. Valiant is accused of creating fraudulent documents that listed himself as the couple’s health care surrogate and granted him power of attorney. Power of attorney is a legal authorization that allows an individual to make financial or health decisions on someone else’s behalf. Depending on the document, the individual may be allowed to make decisions about property, investments, finances or medical care.
With those documents in hand, Valiant allegedly willed the couple’s home and two other properties — worth $1.6 million in total — and drained their bank accounts and took their car. Chitwood told Fox 35 a victim’s credit card was used to pay for things such as attorney fees, teeth whitening, car detailing, food and gas.
A DNR order was also signed for one of the victims, who was later removed from life support, Chitwood says.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” he noted of the alleged scheme.
Valiant faces charges that include organized scheme to defraud, exploitation of an elderly or disabled adult, criminal use of personal ID information, the illegal use of credit cards and other grand theft charges, according to Fox 35.
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Protecting yourself
It’s unclear exactly how the couple in the story above may have been exposed to bad actors, however, when it comes to protecting yourself or loved ones from fraud, it pays to be proactive.
Keep sensitive documents, such as deeds, tax returns and bank statements, in a secure place to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.
Find out if your county or city offers property fraud alerts. Volusia County, where the victims lived, provides this service free of charge to its residents, as do other jurisdictions. This service will send you a notification if changes are made to your property records.
If you or a loved one might face being incapacitated, it may be wise to discuss granting power of attorney to a trusted person to make decisions in your best interests. Make sure to monitor your bank statements continuously for unusual activity, including new lines of credit or charges you don’t recognize. If you have elderly loved ones, stay aware of who they interact with remain vigilant.
And if you suspect you’re a victim of real estate fraud, immediately contact your bank and credit agencies to freeze accounts and prevent further theft. It’s also crucial to contact local authorities and the county recorder’s office to flag fraudulent property transfers and work to reverse any unauthorized changes.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.