Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was at the North Utica Senior and Community Center on Monday to discuss the Senior Financial Empowerment Act -- new legislation to protect seniors from financial fraud.

Gillibrand says the bill would ensure seniors and their caregivers have critical information regarding financial abuse and standardize and improve the way elder financial abuse is reported.  The bill would also establish a national hotline that would advise seniors on where and how to report fraud.

“Senior fraud is a destructive and dangerous crime, in which scammers prey on vulnerable citizens, steal their personal information, and harm them financially with very few consequences,” said Gillibrand. “

Gillibrand says it's estimated that each year, tens of thousands of seniors in New York are victims of financial fraud.

She hopes to have the legislation passed this year.

Jim Rondenelli, WIBX
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Jim Rondenelli, WIBX

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