Author: Danielle Antosz

In early May, construction crews working in the parking garage of South Beach III Condominiums in Clearwater, Florida, spotted a "several‑foot‑wide crack” in a concrete support pillar.

As CBS News reports, they immediately flagged the structural concern, eager to prevent another tragedy like the 2021 condo collapse in Surfside, Florida, which killed 98 people.

Within two hours, firefighters were knocking on doors in the 12‑story tower, hustling roughly  60 residents onto the street with what they could carry.

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“Basically for like two days [I’m] wearing the same clothes until things kind of calmed down,” resident Scott  May told FOX 13.

A week later, engineers installed heavy shoring and declared the column stabilized. Most condo owners were allowed to return to their units — but not those with condos stacked over the column. They were left in limbo.

Even the homeowners who could return had to agree to restrictions: no construction or remodeling without written board approval, no deliveries over 75 pounds, and closed balconies above the damaged pillar.

It’s the latest example of how post-Surfside safety legislation is impacting condo residents..

The impact of Surfside: How one tragedy rewrote Florida laws

When the Champlain Towers South condominium crumbled in Surfside in 2021, it exposed decades‑old gaps in Florida’s building‑safety oversight.

In 2022, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 4-D, also known as the milestone-inspection law. Key points include:

• Mandatory structural reviews: Every condo of three or more stories must undergo a ‘milestone inspection’ by an architect or engineer 30 years after completion, or 25 years if it sits within three miles of the coastline, followed by re‑inspections every 10 years.
• No more reserve waivers: Associations must fully fund reserves for major repairs. Board members who skip or defer funding face personal liability.

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The new rules have already shuttered several condo towers for several years. One high‑profile case is Miami Beach’s Castle  Beach  Club condominum — in which the onsite spa (Russian & Turkish Baths) was forced to close for structural repairs in 2022.

The spa finally reopened after a three-year shutdown that kept portions of the 570-unit building off-limits and saddled owners with steep special assessments.

The U.S. Sun reports that the monthly dues tripled at Winter  Park  Woods near Orlando after the HOA board rushed to meet the new reserve rules under the law.

One condo owner’s monthly HOA fees jumped from $634 to more than $2,100. Some longtime owners were pushed toward foreclosure or fire‑sale listings.

State officials like Rep. Vicki Lopez, who sponsored the bill, insist the cost is worth it.

"We have strived to reach that delicate balance between the safety of our constituents that live in condominiums, as well as understanding the incredible financial impact that sometimes these particular bills that we pass have,” she told WESH News.

What to do if you’re evacuated for structural issues

While you can’t anticipate being forced to evacuate your home for structural reasons, it’s good to have a grounding in the steps to take to make the disruption easier to navigate.

Here’s what to do if you’re forced to leave your home:

• Get documentation. Get, in writing, the official word on why the building is off limits and how long engineers expect repairs to take. Under Florida’s condo law, the condo board must share safety findings with owners and tenants upon request.
• Call your insurance company. Next, contact your homeowners’ insurance company. A standard condo policy often includes Loss‑of‑Use (Additional Living Expense) coverage to reimburse your hotel bills, short‑term rentals and even the cost of boarding pets while your unit is uninhabitable. Make sure to save receipts for boarding, hotel, and food, as your insurance may require these for reimbursement.
• Talk to your lender. Unfortunately, being evacuated from your condo won’t halt your mortgage payments. Contact your lender and inquire about a short-term forbearance or other options that may help you cover the costs of alternative accommodations while repairs are being made. Depending on its policies, you may be able to skip a few months of payments and tack them on to the end of the mortgage term.
• Look for government assistance. Look for programs at the city or county level as federal support may be limited. For example, programs like FEMA generally won’t help, as grants require the federal government to declare a disaster and typically exclude defects discovered before a collapse or storm.
• Document, document, document. If possible, request limited access to your condo to photograph valuables and gather documents, then back up those photos to the cloud. Insurers and lenders may demand proof of condition later. Keep every email, notice, and receipt related to the disruption in one folder — special assessments, hotel invoices, even Uber rides — because you will need those when you file insurance claims, request fee waivers or seek tax relief.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

A woman in Santa Rosa, California, is taking legal action against Costco, seeking more than $14 million in damages after she says a display cabinet fell on her and caused lasting injuries. The lawsuit, filed by Sadie Novotny, stems from a March 22 incident at the local Costco warehouse.

Court filings reviewed by ABC 7 allege that Novotny was walking through an aisle when a large liquor display cabinet tipped over and struck her. Her legal team claims the cabinet had been placed on a damaged or unstable wooden pallet, creating a hazardous environment for shoppers.

Novotny reports she sustained several permanent injuries, including a traumatic brain injury. She’s asking for $9 million for pain and suffering, $5 million for emotional distress, and additional funds to cover medical bills, lost income and household support.

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What does the lawsuit allege?

Her attorney, Claude Armand Wyle, told ABC News that Novotny began feeling unwell shortly after the incident and was taken to the hospital about an hour later. Doctors diagnosed her with a concussionhead injury, and she continues to suffer from headaches and vision issues.

According to Wyle, Costco representatives confirmed the store has security footage of the incident but have refused to share it voluntarily.

“The employee told me that the video didn’t happen the way I explained it,” Wyle said. “I told her, ‘Well, send it.’ She then said, ‘Oh no, you can only get that video through discovery.’”

In law, discovery is the pre-trial process where each side of a lawsuit shares information and evidence. Wyle says that left them no choice. “If I wanted to get to the truth, I had to file a lawsuit.”

The lawsuit was first filed in Alameda County Superior Court but has since been transferred to federal court at the request of Costco. A preliminary hearing to manage the case is currently set for September 4.

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The role of businesses in customer safety

At the heart of this case is a legal concept called premises liability. It holds property owners and operators responsible for maintaining reasonably safe conditions for visitors. If a customer is injured due to negligence, such as an unsecured display or damaged flooring, the store may be held liable.

In general, stores are responsible for:

• Identifying hazards: Store employees must regularly inspect the premises.
• Fixing known issues: If something poses a risk — such as a worn pallet — they are expected to repair it promptly.
• Warning customers: If a hazard can’t be fixed immediately, clear signage or barriers should be used.

However, liability doesn’t apply to every incident. Businesses are not typically responsible for injuries caused by hazards they didn’t know about and couldn’t reasonably have known about.

But, laws also vary by state. For example, in California, plaintiffs must prove that the business either knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to take appropriate action, and that the dangerous condition wasn’t open and obvious to a reasonable person.

Injured in a store? Here’s what to do

If you’re hurt in a store or commercial setting, quick action can protect your health and your legal rights. Take these steps immediately to protect your health and potential legal case:

• Seek medical attention immediately: Even if symptoms feel mild at first, get checked out in case things get worse.
• Document the scene: Take photos or video of what caused your injury, if possible. Ask for contact information from witnesses if you’re able to.
• Report the incident: Notify store management and ask for a written report about the incident.
• Choose your words carefully: Don’t say things that could be taken as admitting fault, such as apologizing or saying, “I’m so clumsy.”
• Speak with an attorney: A personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the claims process and access evidence, like surveillance footage.

As the case moves forward, Novotny’s legal team says they hope to use the discovery process to obtain the video and build their case. Costco has not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

Marcia and Carlton Lee’s month‑long property nightmare on Chicago’s South Side is finally over.

The couple have reclaimed their vacant house — one they’re trying to sell — after police arrested and removed a stranger who moved in with her family, with paperwork to suggest she owned it.

"I knew the ID was fake," Marcia told ABC 7 Chicago. “I knew the documentation was fake. I’m just super excited that they finally got her out."

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The woman in question — Shermaine Powell‑Gillard — now faces a stack of felony and misdemeanor charges.

The Lees have to clean up a mess of trash and some minor damage in the home before they put it back on the market, but they’re just grateful to have it back.

"It brings peace to my household," Carlton said. "That’s what I need."

Why it took four weeks for the stranger to vacate

The Lees’ trouble began in early April, when they arrived at the vacant property to show it to a realtor and prospective buyer and discovered a woman who introduced herself as “Stacy” living inside.

She presented mortgage documents and photo ID that, at first glance, appeared legitimate. Officers called to the scene treated the confrontation as a civil dispute and said they lacked the authority to remove her.

Illinois law requires property owners to evict squatters under the Forcible Entry and Detainer Act, a process that can drag on for months.

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Frustrated by the situation, the Lees approached ABC7 for help. Marcia noted that on the supposed mortgage documents the woman presented, the property PIN matched a different home.

Following media coverage, police revisited the evidence and concluded the ID and mortgage file were indeed fakes.

Officers escorted Powell‑Gillard out of the home and charged her with forgery, burglary, obstructing identification, and criminal trespass. She has since been released and is awaiting her trial.

The Lees have boarded up every window and door of their vacant home to make sure they don’t have to deal with a repeat of the situation.

Meanwhile, Illinois state representative La Shawn Ford is looking to change the existing eviction legislation so owners don’t have to go through the Forceable Entry Act and go to court to evict squatters.

Under his proposed law, police could remove a squatter as soon as the legitimate homeowner can prove they own the home. The Illinois Senate has passed the bill but it awaits a House vote.

Protect your vacant property from squatters

Reports of squatting are on the rise across the United States, though it remains relatively rare.

Experts say that a tight housing market, slow civil courts, and social-media how-to guides have emboldened squatters.

Until legislation catches up, here are a few practical safeguards to protect your own vacant property:

Get surveillance cameras

Install cameras in secure, difficult-to-reach places. If a squatter claims a legal right to the home, footage can prove they broke in and move the case from civil to criminal court.

Ask neighbors to keep an eye out

Talk to your neighbors and let them know the home is vacant. Ask them to call or text you if they see anyone at the house so you can take action quickly.

Remove or replace lock boxes

If you’re using a lock box for realtor access, make sure it has a hard-to-guess code. For example, don’t use 1234 or the street number. Consider installing a keypad lock, which can have longer codes, or leaving the key with a property manager instead.

Consider the pros and cons of for-sale signs

While signs can help sell or rent your home, they also let squatters know a house is empty. If you’re worried about squatters, consider sticking to online listings.

And if squatters do move in? Get the police involved and turn over as much information as possible. Don’t take matters into your own hands — you could wind up with legal trouble of your own.

Hopefully, legal reforms will give homeowners across the U.S. more power to remove squatters. Until then, preventive measures remain your first and best line of defense.

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Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

In the surveillance footage, a car holding a wad of cash fresh from the bank pulls into a convenience store on Houston’s Telephone Road.

Within seconds, two vehicles pull up. Thieves jump out, smash windows on both sides of the victim’s car, grab the cash and drive away.

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“It’s not just bold, it’s also brazen,” Andy Kahan with Crime Stoppers Houston told KHOU 11 News. “It’s also the fact that you don’t have any fear factor in our criminal justice system.”

The day before that incident, police say, a man broke into a vehicle at a local car wash and took cash that had also just been withdrawn from a bank. When the car’s owner confronted him, the thief reportedly flashed a weapon before fleeing.

The back-to-back cases in late April are part of a tactic known as "jugging," where thieves watch people leave financial institutions or other businesses, then follow and rob them, often at their next stop.

Jugging is not a new crime, but until recently, there was no specific charge for it. Texas is changing that this fall.

Jailed for jugging

Signed June 20, House Bill 1902 makes jugging a standalone offense with harsher penalties. It applies not only to culprits who follow victims from banks and ATMs but also from stores, businesses or other locations where valuables may be picked up.

“No longer will you be charged — like in these particular cases — with just theft or robbery,” Kahan explained. “You’re going to be charged with the offense of jugging. And that is going to pack a more powerful impact, hopefully, on the courts.”

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As of Sept. 1, jugging will carry a penalty of up to 180 days in jail and up to $10,000 in fines for a state-jail felony or up to life in prison if enhanced to a first-degree felony.

Texas House Representative Christian Manuel told KFDM that jugging is a growing trend and is already common in cities like Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Austin.

How to protect yourself

Experts warn that jugging happens fast and often without warning. Whether you’re making a bank withdrawal or picking up valuables, here are a few ways to avoid becoming a target:

• Hide valuables before leaving the bank: Don’t count or display cash where others can see. Put it away discreetly — ideally before walking to your car.
• Don’t leave valuables in the car: Even in a locked glove compartment, nothing is truly safe. Criminals may watch you stash the cash before smashing a window.
• Vary your routine: Avoid frequenting the same branch or store at the same time each week.
• Go straight home: Try not to run additional errands or stop at other businesses after making a big withdrawal.
• Watch your surroundings: Keep an eye out to see if any vehicles appear to be following you. If you’re fearful, don’t go home — drive to a police station or call 911 from your car.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

A San Diego judge has ordered Lisa Golden to stay at least 100 yards away from her Ocean View Hills home after two suspicious fires and the disappearance of a $200,000 insurance payout reports CBS 8 San Diego.

Neighbors say the home on Mariner Drive has been a source of stress and fear for years due to hoarding, harassment and repeated court violations. Golden, who previously lived at the residence, is now legally barred from the property amid allegations she continues to trespass despite previous stay-away orders.

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Residents told reporters that Golden screamed at children, threatened news crews and let the property fall into dangerous disrepair. After she failed to comply with multiple court-issued cleanup orders, the court appointed a receiver to take control of the property and prepare it for sale.

Years of issues and refusal to clean up

In California, a court cleanup order can be issued when a property becomes a public nuisance due to severe neglect, code violations or hoarding. If a homeowner fails to comply with city cleanup notices, the court can assign a receiver — an independent third party authorized to take control of the property, perform repairs and, in some cases, sell it to recover costs.

But the receiver’s cleanup efforts at the Mariner Drive home didn’t go smoothly. CBS 8 reported that fires broke out on the exact days crews were scheduled to remove debris. Police have not named a suspect in either blaze, but neighbors claim to have seen Golden at the property around the time of the fires, in defiance of court orders.

"She had promised that if anyone were to take that house away from her, she would burn it down,” neighbor Eddie Mead told reporters after the second fire. “Thus, I believe it’s her. She’s dangerous. I just call her a violent criminal.”

During a court hearing, Deputy City Attorney David Miller told the judge that $200,000 in insurance money from the first fire has vanished. The payout was issued to Golden’s ex-boyfriend, Jeffrey Rogers, who is on the mortgage. Authorities have not confirmed what happened to the funds or whether Golden had access to them.

After the second fire, the judge approved slashing the sale price of the home by $92,000, bringing it to about $500,000 — about half of what similar properties in the area sell for. To secure the residence, CBS 8 reports that officials have installed metal panels over all doors and windows and posted 24-hour security on site.

Golden, who appeared virtually at the hearing, argued that she still needed access to retrieve her belongings.

“We are trying to do this the right way, and the receiver is completely thwarting every effort for me to get clothing that I need and my personal supplies,” she told the judge.

The court ruled that Golden must work through her attorney and a third party to arrange the retrieval of her items, but she herself must maintain the 100-yard distance.

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Plagued by problem neighbors? Here’s what you can do

Lisa Golden’s case is extreme, but not unique. Neighbors in Ocean View Hills told reporters that they felt unsafe and unheard for years before officials stepped in. If you’re dealing with a similar situation, here are steps you can take:

• Document everything. Keep a record of incidents, including dates, photos, and witness statements. If you don’t currently have security cameras, consider installing them.

• Report code violations. In California, you can file complaints with your local code enforcement office for issues like hoarding, pest infestations and unsafe structures.

• Contact police for harassment. If a neighbor is threatening or harassing you, file a report. Repeated incidents may qualify for a restraining order.

• Work with your homeowners association (HOA) or city official. Organized pressure from a neighborhood group can push officials to act more quickly.

• Petition the court. As seen in this case, city attorneys and residents may petition the court to appoint a receiver when all else fails.

Golden’s next court hearing is scheduled for June 13, reports CBS 8. Until then, neighbors hope the judge’s latest order brings some peace.

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• How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you’ll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement

Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

When 22-year-old Cole Schmidtknecht went to Walgreens to refill his asthma inhaler in 2024, he was shocked to learn that the price had jumped from less than $70 to more than $500, according to NBC News. The preventative inhaler Cole’s doctor prescribed him, Advair, was no longer covered by his insurance. Cole left with only a rescue inhaler — the kind used to stop an asthma attack in progress, not prevent one.

Five days later, Cole had a severe asthma attack, stopped breathing and collapsed. According to his family, he suffered cardiac arrest and died due to his asthma. The rescue inhaler was found empty, next to his bed.

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Now, Cole’s parents, Bil and Shanon Schmidtknecht, are suing Optum Rx, the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) that dropped the inhaler from coverage, and Walgreens, the pharmacy that they say didn’t offer alternatives or alert his doctor. They believe the system failed their son, and they’re pushing for legislation to prevent other families from facing similar tragedies.

Cole’s family pushes for policy changes

Today, Cole would be 24 years old. Instead of celebrating milestones in their son’s life, his parents are trying to change what they say is a dysfunctional system where medication prices can change overnight and without warning.

According to NBC News, their lawsuit alleges that neither Cole nor his doctor was notified and that Walgreens failed to help him find a temporary solution. Cole left the store with only a rescue inhaler, not meant to manage a serious asthma condition long term.

“It’s not broken. It’s designed to work this way. It’s just hurting us,” Bil Schmidtknecht told NBC.

The family is also calling for legislation that would require at least 90 days’ notice before a medication is removed from a health insurance formulary — the list of drugs that insurance plans cover.

In a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, Optum Rx expressed “its deepest sympathies” but said federal law bars the lawsuit from proceeding in state court. NBC reports that the company also claimed that three alternatives with $5 copays were available and that its system instructed Walgreens to contact Cole’s doctor.

In a statement to NBC, Walgreens also offered condolences but declined to comment on specifics, citing patient privacy, adding, “In general, in cases where a medication is not covered by insurance, pharmacy staff may work with the plan, patient, and/or prescriber in an effort to process and dispense the prescription if able.”

“He was just so young, and he had his whole life ahead of him,” Shanon Schmidtknecht told NBC. “And it was so preventable and so unnecessary.”

PBMs, like Optum Rx, work behind the scenes to negotiate which medications insurers cover and at what price. But experts say those decisions often prioritize profit over patients.

PBMs receive “rebates” from drugmakers in exchange for favoring certain drugs, said Gerard Anderson, a professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “[They] are looking for the drug that makes them the most money,” he told NBC.

Neither patients nor doctors typically know when or why a drug gets dropped from a formulary. And because just three PBMs (CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and Optum Rx) control 80% of U.S. prescriptions, their decisions impact millions.

A January report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) found that PBMs have driven up costs on many essential drugs by billions of dollars. The companies have disputed the findings: CVS has said the report “cherry-picked” data, while Optum Rx claimed it helped eligible patients save $1.3 billion in 2024 alone and Express Scripts said the FTC report is “another set of misleading conclusions.”

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How to navigate rising prescription costs

For many families, Cole’s story may hit close to home — and raises an urgent question: what can everyday Americans do if their prescription suddenly becomes unaffordable? Here are a few steps you can take to protect yourself.

Don’t leave the pharmacy empty-handed. If your insurance no longer covers a potentially lifesaving medication, ask the pharmacist about lower-cost alternatives and contact your doctor immediately. They may be able to prescribe a similar, covered medication.

Check prices at other pharmacies and look for discounts. Use tools like GoodRx or CostPlus to compare prices. Sometimes, the cash price at another pharmacy can be cheaper than going through insurance.

Ask about generic versions. Generic drug prices can often be lower than the brand name drug. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if that is an option.

Call your insurer. If you get a surprise price hike, contact your insurance provider to confirm whether the drug was removed from the formulary and what alternatives are covered.

Stay proactive. Periodically check your insurer’s formulary for changes, especially during open enrollment or after the new year.

See if you have access to an HSA, or health savings account. These are often offered along with high-deductible insurance plans from employers. You can save money, tax-free, to use for medical expenses. Some employers contribute to these funds to offset medical costs.

Cole’s parents say they’ll keep fighting, not just for justice for their son but also to push for a system where patients don’t pay the price for hidden profits. His family shared a quote from Cole that they say he’d want people to hear: "Just be happy. Life is too short."

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• How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you’ll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement

Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

A Montana woman, identified only as Rita, lost more than $90,000 in an online romance scam. She shared her story in a video created by the FBI on June 15th, World Elder Abuse Day, hoping to help others recognize the signs before it’s too late.

In 2024, Rita was going through a divorce and feeling isolated when she was approached online. The messages from the scammer filled an emotional void during a difficult time in her life—until the financial toll and betrayal became impossible to ignore.

“It hit me at the right time,” she said. “I was very vulnerable. For me, these texts were like a drug… like I needed them to live with. Now I read these texts, and it makes me sick that I fell for this.”

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What happened to Rita — and how romance scams work

In 2024, Rita met a person online who claimed to be a celebrity. They couldn’t meet in person, he said. At the time, that didn’t seem strange. The celebrity was also going through a divorce, and they bonded emotionally over their shared struggles. The connection grew deeper, and then the celebrity began requesting money through Bitcoin.

By the time Rita realized what was happening, she was out nearly $90,000. Some of the romance scam red flags become clear only in hindsight. Here’s how they typically work:

• Scammers create fake profiles and form fast emotional bonds, often with older adults who may be feeling lonely or going through major life changes.
• The scammers avoid meeting in person.
• They isolate their victims from friends and family.
• They begin requesting money, sometimes claiming they’re stuck overseas, need help with medical bills, or want to visit but can’t afford travel.

When Rita finally started to question the relationship, she saw the truth: “I wasn’t thinking with my brain,” she said. “I was thinking with my heart.”

Hundreds of millions of dollars are lost to romance scams nationwide

Rita’s not alone. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans lost a total of $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023, with more than 64,000 victims reporting losses. The FBI’s annual Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) fraud report said there were over 17,000 reports of romance scams in 2024, with a total loss of $672 million. Victims over the age of 60 are most vulnerable, with a reported $389 million in losses to romance scams alone.

The impact is also clear in Montana. FBI spokesperson Sandra Barker said the state saw 44 romance scam victims last year with millions in losses.

“In 2024, our internet crime report shows that in Montana, there were 44 victims reporting losses of over $2.2 million just on romance scams alone, so that will indicate just how prevalent the scam is,” she said.

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How to stay safe from romance scams

Romance scams often follow a predictable pattern: fast emotional bonding, refusal to meet in person, and repeated requests for money. To stay safe, the FTC recommends keeping these tips in mind:

• Be skeptical of fast-moving relationships. Scammers often profess love or deep affection within days or weeks. They may share a sad or dramatic story to gain your trust or sympathy.
• Insist on face-to-face contact. Anyone who refuses to meet in person may not be who they say they are. Remember that even videos can be faked or altered to seem real.
• Do a reverse image search of any photos. If the images show up attached to someone else’s profiles or on a stock photo site, you’re likely dealing with a scammer.
• Never send money to someone you haven’t met. This includes wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, which are common payment methods used in scams. Common excuses include needing help getting home, investments, or wanting to meet.
• Limit what you share online. Scammers comb through social media profiles for personal details they can use to manipulate you. They might see your travel photos and say, "I love to travel," as a way to bond or, as in Rita’s case, claim to be going through a similar emotional struggle.
• Talk to trusted friends or family. If a new relationship feels “too good to be true,” check in with someone who can offer perspective. Pay attention if they express concern. *

If you think you’ve been scammed, cut off contact immediately and report it. File a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov) and report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.FTC.gov. You should also contact your bank or credit card company to see if any payments can be reversed.

“So many people are so embarrassed to come forward and admit to it,” Rita says, but she implores victims to come forward anyway because “You give these people an opportunity to make even more money. So you need to report it, don’t get taken advantage of.”

While recovering stolen funds can be difficult, especially if sent via crypto or wire, reporting the scam quickly may improve your chances. It can also help prevent others from being targeted by the same perpetrator.

Rita says she shared her story in the hope that others will learn from her experience. “If I can save just one person from this folly, if I can make one person realize that this is not real, I’ve done my job.”

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

A scammer pretending to be a construction vendor tricked the Citrus County School Board in Inverness, Florida, into sending more than $800,000 to the wrong bank account. The fraud wasn’t discovered until the real vendor called to say they hadn’t received their payment.

According to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, $846,864.86 was intended for a trusted vendor who was working on a construction project for the school district. However, the money was wired to a fraudster’s account after they sent a fake—but convincing—email that resembled the vendor’s usual messages.

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“This was an email from someone pretending to be the vendor that looked exactly like what the vendor would’ve sent,” said Dr. Scott Hebert, Superintendent of Schools, in an interview with WFLA.

How the scam worked

According to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, the fraudster copied the vendor’s email address and made it look nearly identical to the real one. They also included a fake bank account number for payment. The scam worked because the email was so well-crafted that it didn’t raise immediate red flags.

“A malicious actor will come in and change one or two characteristics of a URL address or an email link—something that doesn’t totally appear correct,” said Detective Cutlip with the CCSO High-Tech Crimes Unit. “At first glance, if you’re having correspondence, you wouldn’t pick up all those changes.”

Once school officials realized what had happened, they immediately contacted law enforcement. The sheriff’s office worked with the U.S. Secret Service to track the money, which had already been split between two bank accounts outside of Florida.

Thanks to that quick response, investigators were able to freeze and recover about 92% of the funds—roughly $779,600. More than $67,000 was still missing, and the investigation remains ongoing.

In the wake of the scam, the Citrus County School District is implementing new safety measures. Dr. Hebert said all district employees are getting extra cybersecurity training, and new protocols are being developed to help staff detect and respond to cyber threats in the future.

“Disciplinary action will occur,” Hebert told WFLA. “Those folks that were involved… will be held accountable for not following any of the procedures that we had in place.”

Depending on the findings of an internal investigation, that discipline could range from further training to suspension or termination.

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How to protect yourself or your business from phishing scams

This type of scam, often called business email compromise or phishing, is becoming increasingly common. To avoid falling victim to these scams, here are a few steps you can take:

Double-check email addresses

Scammers often change just one character in an email to make it look real. For example, "gadams[at]adamsconstruction.com" might become "gadams[at]adamsconstructi0n.com."

Verify payment information before you hit ‘send’

If a vendor emails new bank details or says their payment info has changed, call them using a known phone number—not one listed in the email—to confirm.

Be cautious about any last-minute changes

If someone suddenly requests changes to a scheduled payment, closing date, or account number, take extra steps to verify that the changes are legitimate. It’s always better to take a few extra minutes to verify then to fall victim to a scam.

Train your team

Make sure everyone who handles money or emails with vendors knows what phishing scams look like and how to report them. This includes following the steps listed here and knowing not to click on links or download files from unknown sources.

Contact law enforcement immediately if you suspect fraud

One reason the school board was able to get most of the money back was because they reported the scam right away. The sooner you act, the better your chances of recovering lost funds.

As this case shows, even experienced professionals can fall for a scam when the attack is sophisticated. But by staying alert and putting clear procedures in place, businesses and individuals can better protect themselves from financial fraud.

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Edison Woods Park is tucked away in a quiet residential pocket of Edison Township, New Jersey. It’s so quiet that many locals don’t even know it’s there, and residents who live around the park say that’s exactly why they love it.

“It’s our little slice of heaven,” one neighbor told NBC 4.

Now, residents are worried that could soon change. The township plans to revitalize the park by adding a new pickleball court, a relocated basketball court, building a tennis court and installing new walkways — and residents are pushing back hard.

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Neighbors concerned about park upgrades

The township is looking to update 32 parks across Edison, including this small neighborhood green space. Edison Woods Park recently got a new jungle gym, which neighbors told News 4 they were happy about. But more ambitious upgrades are planned, and residents are concerned say it could disrupt their quiet way of life.

The park has no internal parking lot, so visitors must park on nearby residential streets and walk in. That’s part of what worries residents most.

“I’m most concerned about the privacy, the flooding and the parking,” Bonnie Lefrak said to NBC News 4 New York, who lives next to the park.

Neighbors also say the area isn’t built to handle an influx of people, pointing to increased traffic, safety risks and noise as additional concerns.

“This is a residential area,” said neighbor Fred Dellapitro. “They have parks that are three times the size of this. Why don’t they enhance those instead?”

Residents aren’t opposed to improvements, but say they want more transparency and input. Several neighbors told NBC 4 they didn’t even know about the project until recently and feel blindsided by the proposed changes.

“They’re just looking into trying to revitalize the area,” one resident said. “But to us, you’re going to be bringing in additional people that you know may not have known of our little slice of heaven.”

Neighbors say the township should have asked for their input earlier, and they want a say in what happens next.

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How to make your voice heard against local townships

News 4 reports that no plans have been finalized yet by Eddison officials. The proposed court installations are part of a larger effort to revamp recreational spaces across the township, and feedback is still being gathered.

If you’re facing a similar situation in your neighborhood, here are a few ways to get involved before changes are made:

• Show up and speak out: Attend planning board or township council meetings. These meetings are often open to the public and include comment periods, during which residents can voice concerns or ask for changes.
• Start a petition or neighborhood group: A single complaint is easy to ignore, but dozens of signatures or a formal group can get attention. Consider gathering support and presenting a unified message.
• Request project details: Use tools like public records requests to see project proposals, traffic studies, or budget allocations. The more informed you are, the better your argument will be.
• Talk to local leaders: Contact your ward councilperson or township administrator. Elected officials are more likely to listen when their constituents reach out directly and respectfully.
• Use local media and social platforms: Sharing your story with local news outlets, neighborhood Facebook groups, or community forums can help bring public pressure and rally more support.
• Propose alternatives: If you’re not against improvements but want something smaller or quieter, suggest changes that preserve the park’s low-traffic character, like nature trails, benches, or limited-use courts.

Ultimately, decisions like these aren’t always set in stone, especially when communities stay organized, respectful and persistent. Whether you’re trying to protect green space or just want a say in how your neighborhood grows, speaking up can shape how your neighborhood grows.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.