Thinking She Was Being Scammed, Elderly Woman Found $108K In Unclaimed Funds: Bradenton Police

BRADENTON, FL — An elderly woman who thought she was being scammed learned she actually had $108,000 in unclaimed funds, the Bradenton Police Department wrote in a Facebook post.

The BPD Elder Fraud Unit often receives calls from older adults who have been scammed.

“But Barb’s call was different,” police said.

She contacted Detective Jim Curulla and explained that she’d received multiple offers from law firms and private investigators offering to help her claim money she believed she wasn't owed.

After meeting with Barb, Curulla discovered that she was being targeted by companies assisting with claims to the Florida Department of Financial Services.

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A search of the Unclaimed Property database revealed that Barb had over $100,000 in stock dividends from an employer she had worked for more than 30 years ago.

With the detective’s help, she filed the necessary paperwork, and she recently received a check for $108,000.

Since she no longer drives, Curulla gave her a ride to the bank to ensure the check was safely deposited.