State Legislature Looking to Increase Penalty for Harming the Elderly
Friday, November 15th, 2019 -- 1:05 PM
(WRN) -The State Legislature is looking to increase the penalty of harming elderly Wisconsinites.The State Legislature is looking to increase the penalty of harming elderly Wisconsinites. State Senator Pat Testin says the package of bills includes measures to increase penalties for people repeatedly convicted of scamming or abusing elders.
"It's similar to what we do with child abuse cases here in the state. And we want to send a clear message to anyone who would prey on the most vulnerable amongst us, that they receive stiff punishments."
Testin says one of the bills will allow bank tellers and store employees to deny financial services or sales to someone they suspect is being scammed.
"Those who work in these institutions run into this stuff time and time again on a daily basis. So typically they can suspect or have a pretty good idea of when there might be fraudulent activity being proposed."
Testin says right now all they can do is give advice that the victim is being scammed.
"These individuals that have fallen victim, prey to these scammers, they just don't heed that advice and unfortunately people get defrauded."
Testin says he has personal experience on this, as crooks attempted to scam his great uncle out of money while he was on the campaign trail.
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