NC group: State should enhance elder fraud laws

RALEIGH — A North Carolina think tank that studies state government programs said the state should enact new laws to protect the elderly against fraudsters out to steal their money.

The North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research said in a report issued Wednesday that North Carolina was the first state with an elder abuse law in 1973, but it has not been updated since 1981.

The center’s recommendations include the General Assembly establishing a study commission to examine how the banking commissioner, the investment industry, and law enforcement agencies
can combine to prevent elder fraud. The center said the commission should explore whether bank employees could be trained to recognize, report, and reduce fraud against the elderly.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)