Des Moines, Iowa – In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, the Iowa Insurance Division is reminding financial professionals and Iowans to be on the lookout for signs of elder financial abuse, including potential exploitation and scams. To help protect senior investors, the Iowa Insurance Division recommends investors provide the name of someone they trust as a trusted contact on their investment accounts.

“Scammers are looking to prey on unsuspecting investors and they often target older individuals. One way to help detect and even prevent financial exploitation is to create another layer of safety for investment accounts by adding a trusted contact to investment accounts,” Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen said.  “The Iowa Insurance Division is actively working to combat cases of abuse and senior financial exploitation by providing tools and resources to protect investors.”

A trusted contact is a person authorized by the investor to allow financial firms, in limited circumstances, to contact them when there are concerns about activity in an account. A trusted contact may be a family member, attorney, accountant or another third-party that respects the investor’s privacy and understands how to handle the responsibility.

The Iowa Fraud Fighters and Lucha Antifraude websites offer more resources for individuals to protect themselves from fraud.  Broker-dealers and investment advisers can also report suspected senior financial exploitation to the Iowa Insurance Division for investigation.

Iowans are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division at 877-955-1212 or sfe@iid.iowa.gov with suspicions of possible senior financial exploitation.

(Adel, Iowa) – A Dallas County man is in custody, charged with two Class-B felony counts of Attempted Murder. Authorities say 65-year-old Kelly Gene Broyles, of Adel, was arrested Sunday, after he rammed his truck into a camper, while a person was inside. Court documents said Broyles was upset about his garden, and the people who were living in his house that he didn’t want there. When he decided to ram the camper, one of the alleged victims stood in front of it. Broyles stepped on the gas and struck the person, causing her to almost fall down.

Broyles then put his truck in reverse, forcing the woman to get out of the way. Broyles drove over a metal patio furniture set, which caused the truck’s tires to pop. The man continued to drive his vehicle, and struck the camper, knowing someone was inside. The whole incident was captured on a social media platform. When police arrived, they noticed three of the four tires on Broyles’ truck were flat.

The man remains in the Dallas County Jail. His preliminary hearing will take place June 22nd. He’s been ordered to have no contact with the alleged victims.

(Davenport, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Corrections, Wednesday, reported 19-year-old Mark Jayvon Jackson Jr, who was convicted of Burglary 2nd Degree and other charges in Scott County, failed to report back to the Davenport Work Release Center as required, Tuesday. Jackson, Jr., is a black male, six-feet tall. He weighs about 212 pounds. Jackson, Jr., was admitted to the work release facility on April 17, 2023.

Mark Jayvon Jackson,Jr. (IA DOC photo)

Persons with information on Jackson Jr’s whereabouts should contact local police.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – A Dubuque County man faces felony charges following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau. Authorities say 31-year-old Bryce Douglas Murphy, of Peosta, was charged with: one count of Fraudulent Submissions – Application Fraud; one count Fraudulent Submissions – Misrepresentation of Material Fact, and one count Forgery. Each are Class-D felonies. He was also charged with: one count of Fraudulent Practice. and one count Identity Theft, which are Class C felonies.

The charges against Murphy stem from an investigation which began in September of 2022. According to a criminal complaint filed by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau, Murphy submitted a loss claim to an insurance company reporting that two Rolex watches were stolen from his hotel room. Murphy submitted several documents in support of his claim including a purchase receipt for the watch which was found to be fabricated. The investigation also found that Murphy had previously submitted a claim to another insurance company for the same watches for which he received insurance benefits.

On June 11, 2023, Murphy was arrested and booked into the Scott County Jail where he later posted a $10,000 bond.

Bryce Douglas (Photo courtesy the Scott County Sheriff’s Office.

As a reminder, Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Divisions Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

(Creston, Iowa) – Two people were arrested late Wednesday night in Creston. At around 10:30-p.m., 36-year-old Melissa Kay Stephenson, of Leon, was arrested at the Creston Wal-Mart for  5th Degree Theft 5th. Stephenson was cited and released from the scene on a Promise to Appear in court. And, at around 11:30-p.m. Wednesday, Creston Police arrested 18-year-old Keaton Michael Ballinger, of Creston.

Authorities say he was arrested at his residence for Possession Purchase of Alcohol by Person under the legal age/1st Offense. Ballinger was cited and released from the scene, on a Promise to Appear.