CONSUMER LAW: Cyberfraud listening session with then-Attorney General Michelle Henry, consumers and advocates

Carolyn Johnson joins panel in Bucks County to share LASP's work on cyberfraud

(Jan. 31, 2025)

Carolyn Johnson (facing camera), LASP Chief Counsel, at the cyberfraud listening session hosted by then-Attorney General Michelle Henry. The event was Jan. 15, 2025 at the Bucks County Intermediate Unit in Doylestown.

DOYLESTOWN - Carolyn Johnson (pictured at right, facing camera), LASP Chief Counsel, presented at a cyberfraud listening session Jan. 15 with then-Attorney General Michelle Henry, consumers, and other advocates. Carolyn discussed LASP's work with clients related to cyberfraud.

The panel was held at the Bucks County Intermediate Unit in Doylestown to raise awareness of the issue.

Attorney General Henry was joined at the session by consumers who have reported cyberfraud losses to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, as well as local and state legislators, and consumer advocates from AARP, the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA, Bucks County Consumer Protection, Central Bucks Regional Police Department’s Victim Services Unit, and the Network of Victim Assistance.

Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn; PA Sens. Steve Santarsiero and Frank Farry; and PA House Reps. Joe Hogan and Shelby Labs were also in attendance.

LASP’S WORK WITH SENIORS ON CYBERFRAUD & OTHER LEGAL ISSUES

Carolyn Johnson shared insights on LASP’s work on cyberfraud and other legal issues facing older adults at the listening session and further summarized LASP’s role for e-news.

LASP has contracts with Agencies on Aging/aging services in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties to provide a full range of civil legal services to low- and moderate-income older adults. Between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024, LASP advocates provided 3,667.6 hours of legal advice and representation to older clients.

Fraud can have an outsized impact on older adults, particularly those with modest means. While the amount of assets and income lost may be lower than in wealthier households, the impact of the loss can be substantial. For example, an elderly man in Delaware County was defrauded of his monthly rent payment. The financial institution would not reimburse for the loss and believed that the man was at fault for making the transaction. A complaint was filed with the relevant agency, and further relief was obtained.

The negative impact extends to victims’ health. Research shows that the stress caused by serious financial problems decreases physical and emotional health, and that this impact is greater for lower-income households. Carolyn noted that a LASP attorney successfully defended a lawsuit for credit card debt from a romance scam. Eliminating the credit card debt improved the client’s emotional and physical well-being as well as improving their financial situation.

The impact of fraud can be devastating. “The cyberfraud victims LASP serves are usually clients of LASP’s consumer bankruptcy advocates,” Johnson said. “The debt resulting from personal bank account losses and credit care over-use can lead to bankruptcy.”

Further reading

Photos courtesy of PA Attorney General’s Office.

consumer lawMarion Fraleycyberfraud