In 2006, 21 fraud cases were processed by the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.

A new program in Okaloosa County is working hard to educate the most vulnerable community members: senior citizens, against fraud.

John Merritt, and ID theft victim said, "It happens a lot more than we realize."

Back in the day a handshake sealed a deal. But in this new day and age the handshake mentality endangers the well being of our elderly citizens.

Okaloosa County Sheriff Charlie Morris said, "Our senior citizens are very vulnerable."

Okaloosa County's new CASE partnership program, Community Against Senior Exploitation, will be offering one-hour fraud prevention courses.

They will also be increasing fraud detection while reporting and providing victim support.

Sheriff Morris said, "We want them educated in all these different mechanisms so they're not subject to being victim."

One older gentleman in Niceville last year called into report a scam that said he was a sweepstakes winner.

OCSO Public Info Officer Michele Nicholson said, "He ended up sending them $5000 dollars and that's money he never got back."

Con artists persuade their victims to submit a percentage of the sweepstake winnings to cover the so-called insurance fees.

One Fort Walton Beach man didn't lose any money but his identity was stolen. John Merritt, another ID theft victim said, "The FBI says it's the fastest growing crime in America."

Near the end of April, John Merritt noticed a $4800 dollar withdrawal from his credit card online statement.

The withdrawal didn't have time to validate before Merritt called the company and put a stop to the transfer.

A month later, two credit card companies notified him two cards were taken out in his name.

Merritt who shreds everything has no idea how his identity was stolen but doesn't think ID theft targets just seniors. "While seniors are subject to it, a lot of other people are too," he said.

Until people start to educate themselves it's just a matter of time before con artists strike again.

Anyone interested in more information on the CASE program or fraud crimes can call the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office hotline at 850-651-7674.