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Friday, June 22, 2007
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AG hopes to raise fraud awareness
Staff Writer Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson hopes education will help combat fraud.
Swanson has been busy since she was sworn in as the state's first woman attorney general in January. She has been occupied with several issues, such as fraud and health care, while trying to visit as many cities in the state as she can - a promise she made if she was elected as the attorney general.
On Thursday, she made her way to Brainerd.
Swanson said one of the real problems in the state and nation is fraud. She said there are five different types of scams and about two-thirds of the people being scammed are senior citizens.
"These scams have hit a critical mass," said Swanson. "There are more and more scams every day and it has gotten really bad. One of the reasons why is because of the cheap technology."
Swanson said so many of the scams are believable and the cashier's checks look real.
Swanson said it is tough to find these scam artists, who are usually from another country and are on the run.
These scams have hit a critical mass. There are more and more scams every day and it has gotten really bad. One of the reasons why is because of the cheap technology.
Lori Swanson
Minnesota attorney general
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"Fraud is already illegal so the biggest thing our office can do is educate the public," said Swanson. "Once a person's money is gone, it's gone for good. They aren't going to get their money back."
Swanson said identity theft is a $50 billion a year enterprise and foreign lottery scams have hit $120 million a year.
Swanson's office helped pass bills dealing with predatory mortgage lending, increasing public safety and helping deployed soldiers get out of certain service contracts.
Swanson said the legislation to help the troops was a no-brainer. She said the attorney general's office received so many complaints from soldiers on active duty, who couldn't get out of their contracts with companies for their cell phone and Internet service. With the Service Members Civil Relief Supplement Act, service members can get out of the contracts.
Under a child protection act, Swanson said it now is a felony for an adult to send sexual materials to minors over the Internet.
Swanson said foreclosures are at a record high and too many people entered into bad mortgages from predatory lenders. She said the predatory lending legislation will require lenders to verify the borrower's ability to pay back the mortgage and the firms will have to accurately disclose tax, insurance and other escrow payments.
"These predatory mortgages have affected people of all walks of life," said Swanson.
Swanson is one of five attorneys general in the county who are women. She said she doesn't get treated any differently because of her gender.
Being in the attorney general's office is nothing new for Swanson. She served as Minnesota's solicitor general from 2003-2006 and deputy attorney general from 1999-2002. Last year, Swanson served as chair of the Consumer Advisory Council that advises the Federal Reserve Board of Governors on consumer protection matters.
Swanson, who lives in Eagan, said she hopes people know that they have an advocate in the attorney general's office.
"I am there for their concerns so Minnesotans can have a better life," said Swanson.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.
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