Preventing and Addressing Elder Fraud

2017 Assembly Bill 51

Assembly Bill 51 would provide a cause of action for the financial exploitation of vulnerable individuals. The bill defines vulnerable individuals as the elderly, a financially incapable person, as well as incapacitated people.

This bill would to help seniors who have been victims of scams recoup their losses and create a disincentive for potential fraudsters. It would create a civil cause of action for financial exploitation of a vulnerable person. Under the bill, a court would need to award a person who brings a successful action triple damages, attorney fees, and other reasonable fees for any necessary services of a conservator or guardian ad litem.

Oregon, California, Florida and Arizona have adopted similar laws.

Click here to view the status of this legislation.