Pre-paid Funeral Scam Targets Elderly

insurance.ca.gov, May 07, 2007

Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today alerted senior citizens and their families to make certain they or their loved ones are not victims of a pre-paid funeral scam which targeted the elderly in Southern California. A California Department of Insurance (CDI) investigation found that the former owner of Valley Funeral Home in Murrieta sold "pre-need" burial plans to senior citizens, including residents of area nursing homes, then pocketed the premiums and left her elderly clients without funeral coverage.

Lee Ann Wyskiver, 55, was arrested at her home on April 5, 2007 by CDI investigators and the Escondido Police Department. Wyskiver is charged with six felony counts including Grand Theft and Financial Elder Abuse. She was booked into the Escondido jail, and bail was set at $50,000. The Riverside County District Attorney's office is prosecuting the case. Read more at insurance.ca.gov.