SWEEPING LEGISLATION to protect senior citizens from being victimized by telemarketing and other fraud has been introduced in the Senate.
If passed, the Seniors Safety Act of 1999 (S-751) will direct the U.S. attorney general to develop a national database of individuals and companies convicted of various state and federal telemarketing fraud.
This database will be housed at a central location selected by the Federal Trade Commission, and will enable consumers to check on the legitimacy of a telemarketer and report instances of suspected fraud.
The bill would also do the following:
* Require the attorney general to develop a national hotline for suspected telemarketing fraud.
* Exempt telephone companies from liability for telemarketing fraud committed by their customers.
* Authorize telephone companies to “discontinue or refuse” to provide service to fraudulent telemarketers.
* Double the federal penalties that could be imposed on anyone convicted of defrauding a senior citizen.
The Direct Marketing Association generally endorses the measure, which also urges the Justice Department to study crimes against senior citizens “to assist in developing and otherwise reducing the incidence” of these crimes.
“Although we’re always interested in strengthening laws against telemarketing and other fraud,” says Richard Barton, the DMA’s senior vice president for congressional matters, “we’re still reviewing the bill and expect to work closely with its sponsor, Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT), to plug any loopholes that may be in it to get it passed and signed into law as quickly as possible.” -PMA
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