Mountain View News Saturday, March 14, 2026 
99 
Mountain View News Saturday, March 14, 2026 
99 
EQUIP YOURSELF: 

AVOID THE NEGATIVE 
IMPACTS OF FRAUD 

For many of us, fraud can bring a painful second 
injury after the money is stolen: shame 
and embarrassment. Many wonder how a 
call, message, or online relationship seemed 
so believable. However, this self-blame misses 
an important reality. Today’s fraud industry 
is larger, better organized, and far more 
professional than the scams that existed decades 
ago. The Federal Trade Commission 
has reported steep growth in reported fraud losses among older adults, and officials have warned that 
modern scams now use spoofed phone numbers, polished scripts, fake websites, AI-generated voices, 
and highly coordinated criminal networks to deceive victims. 


Years ago, scams were easier to spot. A fake letter would contain obvious mistakes, or a stranger’s story 
sounds far-fetched. Today’s criminals use professional scripts, realistic-looking websites, and personal 
details gathered online to make their stories sound convincing. In a 2025 federal case, prosecutors 
described a fraud ring with specialized roles at every stage which resulted in losses over $18 million. 
Some staff called victims and used scripted lies to create panic and fear. Couriers were sent to homes 
to collect cash and gold. Additional coordinators relayed addresses and pickup amounts through messaging 
platforms. Afterward, launderers converted them into cryptocurrency, and transferred funds 
to conspirators overseas. It was a multinational business! 

This is why fault never rests with the victim. These schemes are built with meticulous planning, division 
of labor, and psychological pressure. They are designed to sound urgent and look believable. 
When fraud rings operate with this level of sophistication, falling victim to a scam is less like missing 
obvious warning signs and more like walking into a carefully staged trap. It isn't our fault we aren’t 
keeping up. We are forced to confront a fraud industry that has become international, technologicallyadvanced, and frighteningly convincing. 

Equip yourself! Join the local nonprofit Pasadena Village to learn more at a free fraud prevention 
presentation and lunch with a Certified Fraud Examiner on Wednesday 3/18 at 10 AM in Altadena. 
Call 626-765-6037 or visit www.pasadenavillage.org and look for Equip Yourself: Fraud Prevention 
Lunch under Community Events. 

WHAT HAPPENS OF YOU DIE WITHOUT A WILL? 

Dear Savvy Senior,
I’ve put off making a will for years. What actually 
happens to my money and property if I die 
without one? --Getting Old 

Dear Getting,
If you die without a will, your assets will be 
distributed according to the laws of your state,
known as intestacy laws. These laws determine 
who inherits your property and financial accounts when there’s no will or trust. Since rules varyfrom state to state, it’s important to check the specifics where you live. 


A helpful starting point is heirbase.com, which offers Intestacy Evaluators for 37 states. You enter your 
household information and see how your estate might be distributed. If your state isn’t included, Nolo has 
a useful state-by-state intestate succession guide at nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/intestate-succession. 

In the meantime, here is a general overview of what can happen, depending on your family situation. 

Married with children: When a married person with children dies without a will, all property, investments 
and financial accounts that are “jointly owned” automatically goes to the surviving co-owner 
without going through probate, which is the legal process that distributes a deceased person’s assets. 

But for all other separately owned property or individual financial accounts, the laws of most states 
award one-third to one-half to the surviving spouse, while the rest goes to the children. 

Married with no children: Some states award the entire estate to the surviving spouse, or everything 
up to a certain amount (for example the first $100,000). But many other states award only one-third to 
one-half of the decedent’s separately owned assets to the surviving spouse, with the remainder generally 
going to the deceased person’s parents, or if the parents are dead, to brothers and sisters. 

Jointly owned property, investments, financial accounts, or community property automatically goes to 
the surviving co-owner. 

Single with children: All state laws provide that the entire estate goes to the children, in equal shares. If 
an adult child of the decedent has died, then that child’s children (the decedent’s grandchildren) split 
their parent’s share. 

Single with no children or grandchildren: In this situation, most state laws favor the deceased person’s 
parents. If both parents are deceased, many states divide the property among the brothers and sisters, 
or if they are not living, their children (your nieces and nephews). If there are none of them, it goes to 
the next of kin, and if there is no living family, the state takes it. 

Make a Will 

To ensure your assets go to those you want to receive them, you need to create a will or trust. If you have 
a simple estate and an uncomplicated family situation, there are do-it-yourself resources that can help 
you create all these documents for very little money. 

Some top-rated options include the Quicken WillMaker & Trust (willmaker.com, $109) and Trust & 
Will (trustandwill.com, $199). Or, if that’s more than you’re willing to pay, you can make your will for 
free at freewill.com or doyourownwill.com. 

If, however, you want or need assistance or if you have a complicated financial situation, blended family 
or have considerable assets, you should hire an attorney. An experienced attorney can make sure you 
cover all your bases, which can help avoid family confusion and squabbles after you’re gone. 

Costs will vary depending on where you live, but you can expect to pay anywhere between $200 and 
$1,000 for a will. 

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (naela.org) and the American College of Trust and 
Estate Counsel (actec.org) websites are good resources that have directories to help you find someone 
in your area. 

If money is tight, check with your state’s bar association (findlegalhelp.org) to find low-cost legal helpin your area. Or call the Eldercare Locater at 800-677-1116 for a referral. 

Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, 
Norman, OK 73070. 


SENIOR HAPPENINGS 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …MARCH BIRTHDAYS* 

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required 
OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

JUST ANOTHER PAIN IN THE NECK 

For some reason, the other week I thought of my maternal grandfather, 
after whom I was named. 

He had a farm up in the hills of Pennsylvania, and when I would visit, 
my cousins and I would get together and make fun of old grandpa. I 
didn't understand at the time, but I'm beginning to understand now. 

Grandpa had more pain in every part of his body than anybody I knew. Every time he 
got up to walk, his knees would creak. He had pain in his hips, in his back, and every 
part of his body had some pain. He limped as he walked. 

My cousins and I thought it was hilarious because we didn't know about this thing 
called pain. For the most part, we thought he was acting and trying to make us laugh. 

If that was his objective, he was very successful. We were very careful to laugh onlybehind his back out of due respect. After all, he was our grandfather. 

Often, we would bet on which part of his body would hurt first. 

Now that he's gone and it's been over 50 years since he died, I can't help but think of 
his pain and how he handled it day after day. Thinking back, I should've paid attention 
to how he handled that pain, but at the time, I could not associate his pain with me. 

I did not know very much about pain. I didn't have too much pain as a young person. 
I had what was called a "boo-boo", which was hardly a pain. And I must say, a lot of 
my "boo-boos" were manufactured. The reason was that the medicine for a "boo-boo" 
was ice cream. The serious "boo-boos" required chocolate ice cream. 

Whenever I was hungry for ice cream, I would make up some "boo-boo," and my 
mother always gave me the medicine. That's why I always thought grandpa was manufacturing 
his pain. My only problem was that I never could figure out what his medicine 
was for that pain. 

It wasn't until recently that I began to appreciate grandpa's pain. It started a few years 
ago when I had a heart attack. That was just the beginning. 

I'm at the point now that when I wake up in the morning, I make a bet on which pain 
will be first that day. My body must've been listening to me because whatever pain I 
chose, it was always something other than that. 

Actually, I'm the kind of person who does not like to acknowledge my pain. Yes, as 
a young person, recognizing my "boo-boo" was different. That always involved ice 
cream. But now, when I have pain, I need to take a pill. 

Every pain in my body needs a different pill, or so my doctor says. And, as you know,
doctors are always right. Just ask The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. 

I remember a few years ago when we took trips together and had a lot of fun. Now 
my trip is traveling across town to see my doctor. If I never see my doctor again, I will 
be happy. 

When I have grown accustomed to my pain, I go to visit my doctor, and he discovers 
a new pain. Oh boy! Maybe if I didn't visit my doctor, I wouldn't have pain? He might 
be the cause. I've got to think about that. 

A few years back, I was hit with shingles on my right side. Fortunately, I saw my doctor 
within 24 hours and modified the results accordingly. To this day, I have pain in 
my right hip and my knee. 

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage told me that I need to use a cane, because a 
cane will make me able. 

I thought about it and realized what Cain had done to Abel. I may have pain, but I'm 
not stupid. 

When she says that, I smile at her and say, "That's okay my dear. I got it all under 
control." She looks at me and laughs, and I would rather deal with her laugh than with 
the pain I have. 

The other week, I was in the waiting room, and as I was there, I looked around. It 
must've been my imagination, but I seemed to be the youngest person in that room. 

Half a dozen of the people there were using walking canes. Most of them were hobbling 
to see the doctor. I've never seen such a crowd of older people. 

Then it hit me like a pie in the face. Looking at all of these old people in that room 
with all kinds of pain, I realized that I fit in perfectly. That really startled me at the 
time. 

Instead of seeing a medical doctor, I need to see a psychologist. 

I was thinking, as I looked around at the people there, is there a time when this pain 
ends? How long do I have to put up with pain? 

As I was thinking about this I remembered a verse in the Bible that addresses this. 

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared 
with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). 

As painful as my sufferings are, they are only temporary. One moment in heaven and 
I won’t remember any of my pain. As I trust Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour mydestiny is assured. 

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. 
Telephone 1-352-216-3025, e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.com, website www.jamessnyderministries.
com. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com