Florida Criminalizes Abuse, Financial Exploitation of Seniors

The state of Florida has outlawed the abuse and financial exploitation of seniors, reports CBS12 News . Senior-targeting fraudsters have exploited the pandemic, with one Delray Beach man using the identity of seven residents of a senior living community as part of a scam to collect $1.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans. Criminals also are using deceptive tactics claiming they can get seniors prioritized on the vaccine list, in a bid to gain access to their personal and financial data. The new Senior Protection Law criminalizes any attempt to exploit seniors by extending the state Attorney General's jurisdiction to include authority over crimes against seniors and disabled adults. Law enforcement and prosecutors can intercede before irreversible financial and physical damage is committed. People convicted under the new statute immediately forfeit any inheritances. "If you move here, if you retire here, if you come to Florida because you want to live out your golden years, we will make sure you can do that free from fraud and abuse," pledged Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody.