Perry Forensic fraud unit talks to Wood Commission about local fraud crimes
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PARKERSBURG- There are a number of fraud crimes affecting people in Wood County, according to a former Wood County Sheriff.
Representatives of Perry Forensic appeared before the Wood County Commission Thursday to talk about the types of fraud encountered by local residents and to recognize International Fraud Awareness Week Nov. 14-21.
"Mid-Ohio Valley residents face financial fraud every day,” said Jeff Sandy, partner in Perry Forensic and the former Wood County Sheriff. "Financial institutions, law enforcement, prosecutors, and private industry devote substantial resources to combating it.
"Yet many cases cannot be prosecuted because offenders remain unidentified and often operate overseas. Embarrassment and fear of stigma also keep many victims from reporting these crimes."
Perry Forensic is a nationally recognized forensic accounting firm and Sandy was qualified as a Certified Fraud Examiner in 1996. Sandy was representing the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners in observance of International Fraud Awareness Week and was seeking a discussion with commissioners about fraud prevention and for the commission to pass a resolution recognizing International Fraud Awareness Week.
"… Many cases cannot be prosecuted because offenders remain unidentified and often operate overseas. Embarrassment and fear of stigma also keep many victims from reporting these crimes,” Sandy said.
Wood County Sheriff Rick Woodyard began a fraud-prevention initiative in 2024 to combat rising fraud in Wood County, Sandy said.
Since then, it has prevented more than $10 million in theft from residents and helped victims avoid additional losses.
"Its work is particularly vital in a county where 24.3% residents are over age 62, a group disproportionately targeted by domestic and international organized crime," he said. "The effects of fraud against older adults extend beyond the immediate loss.
"These crimes can also undermine the financial security of surviving spouses who depend on those funds."
Traditionally, seniors are more willing to believe certain stories they are told, said Larry Mincks, of Perry Forensic and former Washington County Sheriff.
"The elderly seem to be the target of most of the fraud as they are so giving, forgiving and understanding," he said.
Wood County residents have encountered nearly every form of financial fraud seen across the country, including schemes ranging from cheap driveway-paving scams to sophisticated efforts to exploit isolated seniors, Sandy said.
The U.S. Attorney General's Office reports that romance scams account for more than $823 million in annual losses nationwide, he said adding of the millions of Americans seeking companionship on dating apps and social networks, many encounter criminals who exploit that search to persuade them to send money.
"Some of the individuals that Americans talk to are not of the sex they think they are," Sandy warned.
Criminals increasingly steer victims away from traditional banks, urging them to use money-transfer services such as Western Union, purchase gift cards or send cash by delivery service, the team from Perry Forensic stated.
"Residents should use extreme caution before sending money through these channels," Sandy said. "We encourage every citizen to safeguard their Social Security number by freezing their credit with all three major bureaus: Equifax (888-298-0045), TransUnion (800-916-8800) and Experian (888-397-3742). Credit freezes are among the most effective tools for preventing identity theft."
Sandy shared two stories of fraud that involved Wood County residents, One involved a senior man from Vienna who believed he was talking to the former Fox News personality and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. He received audio recordings of her voice and believed he was communicating with her.
After a few months, the person imitating Pirro told the man ‘I consider you a real good friend. My family has a bitcoin program that we think you should be involved in.’
"He started investing money," Sandy said. "He had $43,000 in his safe at his home in Vienna.
"He would go to Walgreens in Vienna and purchase gift cards."
The $43,000 got used up and the man proceeded to dip into his retirement fund.
"His retirement is gone," Sandy said. "He still believes today that Jeanine Pirro is his friend."
Sandy has asked him to ask for a statement of his investment and that hasn't happened.
The other story involved a senior woman in Williamstown who received a call from someone claiming to be with the FBI telling her that her checking account had been compromised by a terrorist organization and they needed her help by transferring $24,000 to a certain account and they would "trace" the money to be able to identify who the terrorists are. The woman was told they were within seconds of identifying the terrorists, could she do it again?
"She is as patriotic as you can imagine," Sandy said. "She wanted to help her country.
"She did it again and she lost her money. These are real life examples here in Wood County."
The team from Perry said that preventing these crimes from happening is the best defense.
"We need to prevent it," he said. "I will close with a simple principle that has helped safeguard countless residents.
"When in doubt, do not send your money out."