Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez and city partners convened a senior scam symposium in Temecula where county law‑enforcement and recorder‑office officials warned that older adults are increasingly targeted by sophisticated fraud schemes and described steps seniors can take to protect themselves.

"Today's program is designed to be a valuable resource to help you better understand scam prevention, recognize the warning signs, and to stay protected," Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez said, introducing representatives from the FBI, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office.

Deputy District Director Seth DuMichal of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office told attendees that fraud against older adults has been increasing locally and nationally. He cited multi‑year growth in cybercrime and said reported losses rose sharply from 2023 to 2024. DuMichal described common ploys — impersonation calls, SIM‑swap attacks, romance and investment schemes — and recounted an Indio case in which a man who befriended a widow through ridesharing later stole more than $1,000,000 over six months.

DuMichal urged simple defenses: do not click links you cannot verify, do not provide Social Security numbers or account credentials over unsolicited calls, and never pay unexpected requests by gift card or cryptocurrency. "If someone ever tells you to pay with a gift card, it is a scam," he said. He also repeated a short precaution he emphasized throughout: "No new friends," advising skepticism of new people who suddenly ask for money or access.

Melissa Garcia, Assistant Assessor‑Clerk‑Recorder for Riverside County, described how real‑estate fraud schemes can target homeowners: forged deeds, fraudulent notarizations, and solicitations that promise to "lock" a title for a fee. Garcia said there is no product that permanently locks a title from transfer for a fee and urged homeowners to review any mail or notices about changes to property ownership. She recommended using the recorder’s free online index (rivcoacr.org) to check recent recordings under a name and to contact the county or the District Attorney’s real‑estate fraud unit if something appears unfamiliar.

Garcia also advised that powers of attorney and revocations be recorded to give public notice. "If you sign a deed or power of attorney, understand what you are signing — and record it," she said, noting that unrecorded revocations can leave a vulnerable person exposed.

Lead investigator Kristalyn ("Crystal") Horkel of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department gave FBI‑based context for reporting patterns: she said thousands of older adults report scams each year and cited average reported losses that rise with age. Horkel described tech‑support, imposter, romance and lottery schemes, and stressed rapid reporting: many cases routed overseas or through wire transfers are unrecoverable, so local investigators ask victims to preserve evidence and report quickly to local law enforcement and to the FBI’s IC3.

During a question‑and‑answer period, a Temecula resident said they had tried to file a local police report in person but were told the department would only accept online reports; two months later the resident said a detective had not responded. Horkel asked the resident to bring the documentation and said some stations do refer people to online filing while others can accept in‑person reports or will accept details via dispatch; she offered to collect the case information after the session.

Speakers closed by directing attendees to report suspected fraud to adult protective services, their local law enforcement agency, the District Attorney’s fraud units, and the FBI’s IC3 portal. Officials also encouraged seniors to monitor monthly bank and credit statements, use spam‑blocking tools, verify unexpected contacts by calling numbers printed on official documents, and consult trusted family or advisors before transferring funds.

Event tables staffed by the District Attorney’s Office, the Assessor‑Clerk‑Recorder’s Office and the Sheriff's Department remained after the program to help attendees review suspicious mail and provide local resource information. The session ended with organizers urging attendees to keep materials from suspicious contacts and to follow up with the agencies present.

The organizers did not announce any new local ordinances or formal motions at the event; it was a public‑education session focused on prevention and reporting.