This put up is a part of our Capitol Connections series, the place Annalisa Burgos sits down with state lawmakers to debate their priorities for the legislative session and points affecting their districts. Watch the complete interview above and click here for more Capitol Connections.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – State Consultant Scot Matayoshi is proposing laws to fight fraud and scams and limit cryptocurrency ATM purchases after listening to a number of accounts of kupuna being victimized.
Matayoshi, D, who represents Kaneohe and Kailua and chairs the Home Shopper Safety and Commerce Committee, stated a relative advised him a few buddy who was defrauded out of tons of of 1000’s of {dollars} by means of a web-based rip-off.
“I believe each single particular person I’ve talked to has recognized a cousin, an auntie, a buddy of an auntie or a buddy of a mother or whatnot that has been defrauded or not less than has skilled somebody making an attempt to defraud them of cash,” Matayoshi stated.
Financial institution teller freeze authority
One invoice would permit financial institution tellers to freeze transactions if they believe fraud is happening. Matayoshi stated financial institution tellers function the primary line of protection as a result of many seniors go to banks in particular person and have relationships with tellers.
“If the financial institution teller believes that there’s a fraud, a fraudulent transaction occurring, they’ll put a freeze on it and for a few days or nonetheless lengthy they want in order for the particular person to truthfully simply snap out of it,” Matayoshi stated.
He stated victims usually notice they’ve been scammed inside 24 to 48 hours, however by then the cash is already gone and tough to get better.
Cryptocurrency ATM restrictions
Matayoshi can be introducing laws to ban cryptocurrency purchases by means of kiosks discovered inside grocery shops and comfort marts throughout the state, citing their frequent use in fraudulent transactions focusing on seniors.
“These crypto kiosks, in my opinion, are principally used for fraudulent transactions,” Matayoshi stated. “The profit to them doesn’t outweigh the large fraud going on with these ATMs.”
The invoice would nonetheless permit folks to withdraw cash from crypto ATMs in the event that they already personal cryptocurrency and need to convert it to money.
Retailer house owners have reported seeing seniors at crypto kiosks with money, speaking on phones with somebody guiding them by means of transactions. Matayoshi stated scammers typically instruct victims to make use of the machines after claiming their relations are in hazard and want bail cash.
Misleading mailer protections
One other invoice targets misleading mailers that look like from mortgage corporations or authorities companies however are literally third-party companies charging extreme charges.
“I’ve been getting a whole lot of letters that purport to be my mortgage firm, that purport to be my automobile firm,” Matayoshi stated. The invoice would require massive disclaimers stating the mailers usually are not from precise corporations and make transactions voidable if correct disclosures aren’t included.
Faculty cell telephone ban
Matayoshi can be proposing a school-wide cell telephone ban from “bell to bell” that might shield academics and schools from legal responsibility when confiscating units.
As a former seventh-grade science instructor in Nanakuli, Matayoshi stated academics at the moment keep away from confiscating phones value tons of or 1000’s of {dollars} because of legal responsibility considerations.
“If the cell telephone broke, if one other child stole it out of my desk, if it bought misplaced, then I’d be held chargeable for it,” Matayoshi stated.
The invoice consists of exceptions for emergencies and academic use, and requires dad and mom to choose up confiscated phones. Matayoshi stated eradicating phones from school rooms might scale back bullying and permit college students to work together with out concern of being recorded.
Finances considerations
Matayoshi stated his measure of success for the legislative session will probably be guaranteeing important companies like SNAP advantages and Medicaid are maintained regardless of tight price range constraints.
“Success for me on the finish of session could be ensuring that these core important companies are nonetheless being taken care of, that the federal government remains to be offering for folks in want,” Matayoshi stated.
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