New Minnesota Law Bolsters Legal Options When Older Adults Are Scammed

(Adobe Stock via Minnesota News Connection)

(By Mike Moen. Minnesota News Connection) – A new Minnesota law aims to give vulnerable adults more legal protections when they’re being scammed, or when someone they know is exploiting them financially.

On January 1, a law change took effect that broadens the pathway for older adults, or someone on their behalf, to request an order of protection in these situations.

Amanda Vickstrom, executive director of the Minnesota Elder Justice Center, said the remedy provides more legal clarity in cutting off contact with the suspected perpetrator, along with making sure they can’t access certain assets.

“And it really helps being able to stop when there’s a scam sooner,” said Vickstrom. “So, the freezes on the account will allow the courts, frankly, to step in – and the banks to step in – and stop when they didn’t have the authority to do that in the past.”