California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 81

Introduced by Assembly Member Mitchell

August 28, 2013

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 81—Relative to Senior Fraud Awareness Day.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 81, as introduced, Mitchell. Senior Fraud Awareness Day.

This measure would proclaim November 13, 2013, as Senior Fraud Awareness Day.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, As the population ages and more Americans
become senior citizens with life savings, they become greater
targets for fraud and deception. The ease of access for criminals
to contact seniors through the Internet and telephone increases as
more creative schemes emerge; and

WHEREAS, Senior fraud is a growing concern as millions have
fallen victim to scams, including Medicare scams, sweepstakes
and lottery scams, investment and work at home scams,
bereavement scams, identity theft, charity scams, granny scams,
and home repair scams. Seniors citizens average one scam-type
letter and two telemarketing phone calls per week; and

WHEREAS, Senior fraud is underreported due to older adults’
embarrassment and lack of information about where to report fraud;
and

WHEREAS, There are about 5 million cases of financial
exploitation of the elderly in the United States each year. The
financial loss by victims is more than $42.9 billion dollars annually
for reported cases; and

WHEREAS, Caregivers, scam artists, and unscrupulous
salespersons are the primary instigators of senior fraud. The tactics
used are intimidation, fear, friendliness, authority, and control to
get the victim to send money or share private financial information;
and

WHEREAS, As senior citizens own more than half of all the
financial assets in America, they are the primary targets for
fraudulent practices. It is estimated by the United States House of
Representatives Subcommittee on Health and Long-Term Care
that even though seniors only represent 12 percent of the
population, they represent 30 percent of the scam victims; and

WHEREAS, According to the Department of Corporations, it
is estimated that 70 percent of Californians over 50 years of age
have been solicited by someone with the intent to defraud them;
and

WHEREAS, The Los Angeles City Council commended
Adrienne Omansky’s Stop Senior Scams Acting Program, in which
over 35 students from the Los Angeles Unified School District’s
Programs for Older Adults have performed at numerous venues
their 30-minute skit informing older adults about current scams
that target the older adult population, and the city council declared
May 15, 2013, as “Senior Fraud Awareness Day” in Los Angeles;
now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims
November 13, 2013, as Senior Fraud Awareness Day; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.