CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Action 9 has warned people about scams targeting senior citizens for years, and now lawmakers are taking steps to protect potential victims called the Financial Empowerment Act, already filed by the Senate.
It would help those citizens who lose money to schemes online, over the phone or by mail.
The bill would create a national hotline to help seniors and caretakers report fraud and schemes.
The legislation would create grant programs to help state and local agencies develop online prevention tools.
It would also impose harsher penalties for criminals targeting seniors.
The Federal Trade Commission said nearly 1 in 5 seniors is a victim of fraud, and losses can reach up to $3 billion a year.
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