Bill aims at scams used on seniors

The state Senate last week approved a bill by Patty Berg that makes it harder for unscrupulous financial advisors to win the confidence of California's elderly population.

Assembly Bill 2149, which was approved on a 26-9 vote, would rein in a gimmick used by sales people where they claim to be "senior experts" offering advice, rather than sales people. The bill would regulate the use of "expertise" designations and require actual training of anyone who would seek to convince seniors that they have special knowledge about their needs.

The bill now needs a concurrence vote in the Assembly - where success is expected - before being sent to the governor, stated a news release from Berg's office.

Berg, D-Eureka has introduced a trio of bills this year, all designed to give seniors more information about the people they are dealing with when considering insurance or financial investments. Elder financial abuse is one of the fastest-growing segments of crime in the country.

The bills are sponsored by the California Alliance for Retired Americans and the Congress of California Seniors. The Gray Panthers of California and the Older Women's League are also in support.