Latest news with #DarrellWeaver
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oklahoma legislation would help victims of scammers
Imagine an Oklahoma grandmother, savings in hand, rushing to a corner store's cryptocurrency ATM because a voice on the phone claims her grandson is in jail. She feeds $5,000 into the machine, believing she's saving him. Instead, she has just been robbed ― her money zapped into a scammer's digital wallet, gone forever. This is not a rare story. It's happening across Oklahoma, where criminals are turning cryptocurrency ATMs, also called digital asset or bitcoin kiosks, into tools for theft, draining millions from our communities. Criminals pose as authorities, bank officials, computer tech support or even loved ones, spinning tales of urgent crises: 'Your account has been hacked — send cash now!' or 'Pay this fine through the ATM to avoid arrest!' The individual is then directed to insert money into a cryptocurrency ATM via QR code, where the funds are immediately transferred to the criminal's digital asset wallet. More: Scammers often target seniors. Here are tips that can help you protect yourself, loved ones Thankfully, help is on the way. Senate Bill 1083 by Sen. Darrell Weaver and Rep. Mark Lepak tackles this crisis head-on. Cryptocurrency ATMs, unlike other regulated financial institutions, lack state-level fraud protections and oversight. SB 1083 adds targeted safeguards, mandating that new customers who fall victim to cryptocurrency ATM fraud may receive a refund if they report the incident within 14 days to law enforcement and the ATM operator. Additionally, it imposes daily transaction limits to mitigate the risks associated with higher transaction amounts. To further protect consumers, the bill requires posting fraud warning notices at ATMs that detail steps individuals should take if they suspect fraudulent activity. ATM operators' fees are capped, and they are required to refund fees on fraudulent transactions. Senate Bill 1083 will also authorize the Oklahoma Banking Department to oversee licensure within the state, monitor complaint activity and revoke operator licenses if they receive multiple consumer complaints. Scammers often trick vulnerable people — often elderly — into sending them thousands of dollars to resolve fake problems. A new law introduced in the Oklahoma Legislature would help recovery efforts. The numbers tell a grim story. The FBI's 2024 Internet Crime Report shows a 99 percent spike in cryptocurrency ATM-related fraud complaints nationwide, with losses up 31 percent from 2023. Older adults are prime targets, losing more than $107 million as scammers exploit their trust. In Oklahoma, these cryptocurrency-related scams including those involving ATMs cost residents $37.7 million in 2024. This data reflects only reported cases, with actual losses much higher due to unreported scams. More: Guest column: Ignoring unknown calls could save you from scammers Oklahoma's lawmakers have a choice: protect our families or let criminals exploit this loophole. Passing SB 1083 is not just a vote for stronger laws — it is a stand for our neighbors, our families, our communities. Every Oklahoman deserves protection from this digital con. Now is the time for our lawmakers to vote yes on this bill and for Gov. Stitt to sign it into law. Make your voice heard: tell lawmakers to vote yes on SB 1083 by going to Let's make Oklahoma a place where digital innovation lifts us up, not leaves us broke. Jeff Miller Jeff Miller is an AARP Oklahoma executive council member and an AARP Fraud Watch Network volunteer. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Helping elderly people who are scam targets | Opinion
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Republican state senator announces bid for Oklahoma lieutenant governor
Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, attends the final day of the 2024 Legislative Session on May 30 at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Barbara Hoberock/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Darrell Weaver on Monday announced he will run as a Republican for lieutenant governor in 2026. 'With my common sense conservative approach to governing, I have championed legislation dealing with many issues, such as public safety, victims' rights, small business, and Second Amendment rights,' Weaver, of Moore, said in a press release. 'I have strongly advocated for our growing aerospace industry, and the need to enhance economic and workforce development and promote tourism opportunities.' Weaver was elected to the Oklahoma Senate in 2018. He won reelection in 2022 without opposition. He served for over 28 years in law enforcement with the Oklahoma Bureau of Dangerous Drugs Control. He served as the agency's director the last nine of those years. Weaver holds a bachelor's in accounting and a master's in business administration. A formal campaign kickoff is set for later this year. Weaver joins Republican ticket that includes State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd of Coalgate and Chris White of Broken Bow. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, a Republican, is term limited. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Measure creating minimum standards for county jails clears Oklahoma Senate
Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, listens as Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, presents a bill in the Oklahoma Senate on Monday. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY — Senators on Monday passed legislation that they said will clearly outline the minimum standards for which all county jails should operate. Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, said Senate Bill 595, which creates the Oklahoma Jail Standards Act, was developed as part of an agreement between the Oklahoma Sheriffs' Association and the state Department of Health. The over-40-page bill requires that detention facilities operated by counties, cities and towns be inspected at least once a year to ensure compliance and requires those facilities to have staff available to perform sensitive functions during the inspections. It also requires that the state's commissioner of health set rules to implement the provisions. Under the measure, detention facilities can require a temporary emergency waiver after natural or man-made disasters if an inspection would cause an undue hardship, but any entity must include justification of why they qualify and a plan for caring for impacted inmates. It also requires the Health Department to review plans for new detention facilities or substantial remodels. Weaver said the bill gives the state's 77 counties 'some level of standards' within their jails. The measure cleared the Senate 46-0. The measure heads to the House for consideration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Retirement benefit hikes eyed for some Oklahoma retirees
Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, attends the final day of the 2024 Legislative Session on May 30 at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Barbara Hoberock/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY – A Senate panel on Tuesday passed five bills to start the process of giving some retirees a 2% cost-of-living adjustment. Senate Bill 8, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, would provide a 2% increase in benefits for members of the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System. Senate Bill 174, by Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, would provide a 2% cost of living adjustment for members of the Teachers' Retirement System. Senate Bill 9, by Weaver, would provide a 2% increase in benefits to members of the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System. Senate Bill 90, by Sen. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, would provide a 2% increase in benefits to members of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System. Senate Bill 21, by Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, would provide a 2% increase in benefits to members of the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System who have been retired for five or more years. The proposals must first receive an actuarial analysis to determine the costs. Lawmakers next session could then consider any proposed increases. Lawmakers typically file cost of living adjustment bills in odd-numbered years and take them up in even-numbered years after the actuarial analyses are completed. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
