Bill to Further Protect Seniors From Telemarketers Passes House

The Louisiana state House of Representatives has approved of a bill that would fine telemarketers or scammers using a phone, e-mail, or text messages to target potential victims, bolstering safeguards for people 65 and older in particular, reports WBRZ . HB305, authored by Rep. Reid Falconer (R-La.), will help protect victims by increasing the amount of damages they can seek when a deceptive act is committed against a person 65 or older or someone with a disability via such communications. "I've got a father who's 86 years old and has Alzheimer's," Falconer said. "A company sold him an insurance policy that he has no need for." Victims will need to fight companies in court, but the new law stipulates a judge could award a maximum penalty of $10,000 against the malefactor. Falconer said this should give attorneys incentive to pursue violators.