2018: Sanctions for scam artists, fake service animals took effect August 1
Access Press
8/10/2018 by Access Press Staff
The vetoes of major policy and spending bills meant gains were sparse at the capitol in 2018. However, some key bills were signed into law this spring. Two very different laws went into effect August 1, 2018affecting people with disabilities and older Minnesotans.
Scam artists who target senior citizens and vulnerable adults will face more sanctions, as the Safe Seniors Financial Protection Act (SSFPA) went into effect August 1, 2018. The Minnesota Department of Commerce is partnering with financial professionals to prevent financial fraud and exploitation. The act provides tools to Minnesota’s financial professionals to identify and report cases of financial abuse of seniors and vulnerable adults.
Financial professionals such as broker-dealers and investment advisers can now report to the Commerce Department and the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) when a senior or vulnerable person is falling victim to financial exploitation and notify a trusted third party about the suspected financial exploitation. Financial professionals can temporarily delay a transaction or disbursement of funds to protect vulnerable adults and seniors from financial exploitation.
The act is seen as creating a stronger partnership between advisers and the Minnesota Commerce Department. In recent years there have been a growing number of financial exploitation cases targeting elders and vulnerable adults in Minnesota. Exploitation may be by family members or complete strangers. People have lost their life’s savings to these scams.
Another law that took effect August 1, 2018 affects service animals and their owners. People who try to pass off untrained creatures as service animals can now face a $100 fine. Minnesota joins almost two dozen other states in enacting such a law. It’s important for people with legitimate, trained service animals to be aware of this law and its implications.
The intent is to protect legitimate service animals and the people who rely on them. These specially trained animals, which are usually dogs, help people with disabilities with many tasks.
Service animals are not to be mistaken for emotional support animals or household pets. While these creatures may serve an important function for their owners, untrained animals have caused problems in stores, restaurants and other public places. But an increasing number of people have purchased vests for their untrained dogs, to try to pass them off as service animals.
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