In a bid to address the growing concern of financial exploitation among senior citizens in North Carolina, a new elder law has been proposed by state lawmakers. The legislation, which was introduced on December 13, 2025, aims to strengthen protections for elderly individuals and ensure that they are safeguarded from being taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals.According to data from the North Carolina Department of Justice, financial exploitation of seniors has been on the rise in recent years, with reports of scams and fraud targeting the elderly population becoming increasingly common. Many of these schemes involve deceptive practices that manipulate vulnerable seniors into giving away their hard-earned savings or assets.The proposed elder law includes provisions that would make it easier for law enforcement to investigate and prosecute cases of financial exploitation involving elderly victims. It would also establish stricter penalties for those found guilty of targeting seniors for financial gain, with harsher punishments for repeat offenders.In addition to legal measures, the legislation also includes provisions for increased outreach and education efforts aimed at raising awareness about financial exploitation among seniors. This includes providing resources and support for seniors to help them identify and report potential scams, as well as training for caregivers and family members on how to protect their elderly loved ones from exploitation.State lawmakers behind the proposed elder law have expressed their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of North Carolina's senior population. They believe that by enacting these measures, they can better protect vulnerable seniors from falling victim to financial predators and provide them with the support they need to maintain their financial security and independence.The legislation is expected to undergo further review and discussion before potentially being enacted into law, but advocates for senior citizens in North Carolina are hopeful that it will ultimately be passed and implemented to help combat the growing threat of financial exploitation facing the elderly population.