RICHMOND – Rep. Sally Cluchey, D-Bowdoinham, and Rep. Kilton Webb, D-Durham, hosted a community forum on Thursday, September 17 with Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey to discuss how Mainers can better protect themselves from fraud and scams, including the Bitcoin Depot kiosk scam, which ultimately resulted in a $1.9 million payout this year to Mainers who were defrauded.
“As scammers find new ways to target Mainers, we need to make sure there are strong protections in place,” said Cluchey. “That’s why I’ve worked with my colleagues on the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee to help prevent financial exploitation. One new law allows account holders to name a trusted contact who can be notified if a bank or credit union suspects fraud, adding an additional guardrail before someone loses their hard-earned money.”
“On the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, I’ve worked on legislation that helps protect Mainers from door-to-door solar sale scams,” said Webb. “As scams begin to spread to new sectors and scammers find more successful strategies, our laws must advance to ensure Mainers’ finances remain secure. The Attorney General’s Office has been a great resource for reporting and rectifying some of these incidents.”
To report a scam and learn more about how the Attorney General’s Office protects Maine consumers, visit https://www.maine.gov/ag/consumer-protection.
Rep. Cluchey is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents House District 52, which includes the communities of Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Richmond and Perkins Island Township. She serves on the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee and the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee.
Rep. Webb is serving his first term in the Maine House and represents House District 98, which includes Durham, Pownal and portions of Lisbon, Bowdoin and Topsham. He serves on the Legislature's Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.