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State Representative Andrea Kieffer
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-1147
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
NEWS RELEASE
Governor Signs Rep. Kieffer’s Fraud Prevention Bill
Governor Signs Rep. Kieffer’s Fraud Prevention Bill
Legislation protects consumers from home and telephone solicitation “Granny Scams”
ST. PAUL – Governor Dayton today signed bi-partisan legislation by Representative Andrea Kieffer (R-Woodbury) that protects consumers from a loophole in home and telephone solicitation sales that often target senior citizens.
“This legislation will help folks throughout Minnesota, especially senior citizens, who are often coerced into signing a contract under the assumption that they have a three-day cancellation period that simply doesn't exist,” Rep. Kieffer explained.
Previous state statute only protected consumers with three day cancellation policies if the home solicitation involved goods and services. Rep. Kieffer’s legislation added “improvements to real property” to this statute, which includes projects such as roofing and siding.
“I can say from political door-knocking in Woodbury that many homes have ‘no solicitation’ signs on the front doors,” said Rep. Kieffer. “I hope this will help avoid future contracts from being signed under undue pressure.”
Rep. Kieffer worked to draft this legislation with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry and the Better Business Bureau. Attached to the bill was also a provision brought to Kieffer by AARP and endorsed by bankers, credit unions, and around 30 other organizations. It enhances protection against what some call the “granny scammers,” who call senior citizens or vulnerable persons, ask them to wire money for a relative in trouble overseas, and subsequently steal their money.
“These provisions should make it less tempting for unscrupulous people to try to take advantage of vulnerable citizens for their personal financial gain,” said Kieffer.
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Representative Kieffer serves the residents of Woodbury. She encourages constituents to contact her with concerns on any issue of state or local concern. Rep. Kieffer may be reached at rep.andrea.kieffer@house.mn or 651.296.1147. Mail should be sent to Rep. Andrea Kieffer, 531 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
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