U.S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) voted for the Senior Financial Empowerment Act (H.R. 3040) which requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Attorney General to establish programs that will help seniors, their families and caregivers defend and protect themselves from predators who are trying to steal their money.
The FTC will be charged with forming ways to disseminate information on fraud that is perpetuated through mail, telemarketing, and Internet fraud so that seniors and those who care for them are well informed. This program will include ways of referring complaints to appropriate law enforcement agencies in an effort to streamline the system. Another important aspect of this program includes a website that will allow easier access to public information records of public entities and individuals who have committed fraud against Seniors.
“This goes hand-in-hand with what I have already established in my District, The Elder Abuse Awareness Task Force, which was created to protect our Senior Citizens on all levels”, said Rep. Hinojosa. “We have put together teams from federal, state and local agencies, including law enforcement. This new bill only adds to what we have created and will offer more protection to our Seniors against fraud”.
The Senior Financial Empowerment Act also directs the U.S. Attorney General to establish and administer a competitive grant program for mail, telemarketing, and Internet fraud prevention education programs for Senior Citizens.
Agencies which are supporting Congressman Hinojosa’s Elder Abuse Awareness Task Force are:
· Area on Aging
· Senior Medicare Patrol
· Senior Companion Program
· Adult Protective Service
· Social Security Administration
· AARP
· Texas Department of Family
and Protective Services
· State Senators’ Offices
· Better Business Bureau
· Local Police Departments
· Local County Sheriffs Offices
Elder Abuse Hotline 1-800-252-5400
