DCBA Stories is an ongoing series of articles showcasing the many ways the staff of the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs answer the call to help the people of Los Angeles County.
You may have heard the adage, “Health is Wealth”. But for one LA County consumer, the cost of good health was unbelievably high. The cost was so high that it proved to be a scam.
Mrs. Jay*, an older adult consumer, found herself desperately looking for alternative forms of medicine due to her declining health. She found some hope in an infomercial on a Spanish-language television network for a business that claimed to offer alternative forms of therapy.
The business claimed to cure medical ailments through holistic forms of therapy like acupuncture, moxibustion, auriculotherapy, and more. Hopeful, Mrs. Jay called the business and set up an appointment.
Unfortunately, the solution was too good to be true.
The business convinced her that her illnesses were all because of a family curse and that her children were in danger. She was told the only way for her to save them was to sign up for services, which would cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Mrs. Jay eventually realized she had been duped and contacted DCBA.
Merilyn, a DCBA investigator, got the case. She contacted to the business and asked why they collected such a large amount of money, and what services were performed. They provided a fake receipt claiming they had purchased more than $10,000 worth of candles to help pray and heal Mrs. Jay and her family. The business also claimed they performed other services but refused to share the details.
Merilyn continued to advocate for Mrs. Jay until she was able to secure a refund of $30,000, enough to make a major difference in Mrs. Jay’s quality of life.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of a scam, or has a dispute with a business, reach out to our counseling team at (800) 593-8222 or by appointment to have a counselor reach you at the best and most convenient time. Some cases will require an investigation, where skilled investigators like Merilyn can provide the best available help.
Also, older adults can read more tips about avoiding scams and how to report possible abuse by visiting dcba.lacounty.gov/smarterseniors.
* Note: Some names and specific details of cases featured in DCBA Stories have been adjusted to respect the privacy of our team members and the people we serve
