The story behind the Nov. 9 article “Elderly couple in Gray recovers $19,500 from online fraud” started with a Zoom I attended as a volunteer fraud fighter with AARP in late 2024. The presenter stated that 45 states have laws encompassing legislation called “Stop and Hold.” I wondered if Maine is included; it was, but the law only applied to the securities industry. However, in 2023, the FTC reported the most money — $1 billion and $595 million — was lost by fraud using bank transfers and payments.

I wanted local credit unions and bank employees to help their customers avoid financial exploitation by scammers. So, I wrote to my state senator, Anne Carney, and asked her to introduce a bill. Sen. Carney inquired if the Maine Bankers Association, the Maine Credit Union League and Legal Services for Maine Elders had weighed in.

So, after contacting them and AARP, the senator and her staff took the lead and we all worked together to fashion a bill. The bill, LD 1445, An Act to Prevent Financial Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults, was passed, signed and enacted on June 9, 2025. 

Before this bill, the criminal scammers were in control by controlling the customer. Now, the bank and credit union personnel, along with law enforcement, are in control and this scam was stopped. Many thanks to all who made this happen: AARP staffers and volunteers, Sen. Carney, Ryan Kovarovics, John Stierman, John Brautigan, Ellen Parent, Krista Simonis, Gov. Mills and the Maine State Legislature.

Jessica Linzer Simpson
Cape Elizabeth