State House panel OKs bill to help protect senior citizens from scams

State Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Dist. 78) said the House Aging and Older Adult Committee has voted unanimously to advance legislation that would increase cooperation among state agencies to protect the state's senior citizens from scam artists.

To enhance protection for senior citizens from unwanted phone calls made for the purpose of financial exploitation, House Bill 271 would require the state Office of the Attorney General to notify the Pennsylvania Department of Aging on a regular basis regarding any investigation conducted under the state’s Telemarketer Registration Act involving anyone age 60 or older.

With built-in cooperation, local agencies can more easily identify and even observe potential scams or fraud. Current regulations limit detailed reports of such activity to the preceding fiscal year.

“Over the past several years, we have seen an increase in cases of senior abuse and fraud across the Commonwealth,” Topper said. “House Bill 271 is a common-sense solution which will help our agencies gain more information about how people are falling victim to financial exploitation. By learning more about these incidents, we can learn what can be done to prevent them.”

The bill, which amends the 1996 Telemarketer Registration Act, now goes to the full House for consideration.

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State House panel OKs bill to help protect senior citizens from scams