House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Protect Seniors from Scams

 

House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Protect Seniors from Scams Washington, November 17, 2020 Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Seniors Fraud Prevention Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Representatives Ted Deutch (D-FL), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), and Peter Welch (D-VT) and U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Susan Collins (R-ME) in the Senate. The Seniors Fraud Prevention Act was incorporated as Title II of Stop Senior Scams Act (H.R. 2610). One in twenty seniors in the U.S. is a target of fraud schemes, costing them at least $36.5 billion per year. Yet, the National Adult Protective Services Association has found that only 1 in 44 seniors actually report that they are victims of a fraud scheme. The Seniors Fraud Prevention Act would help protect seniors and their families from becoming the victims of fraudulent schemes designed to steal their assets. The legislation would create an office within the Federal Trade Commission charged with tracking scams, educating and alerting seniors to new scams, and establishing a more effective complaint system to ensure reports of fraud are quickly addressed by the appropriate law enforcement agency.   Congressman Ted Deutch: "Scams targeting seniors are becoming increasingly sophisticated and deceptive. To protect our seniors, many of whom live on fixed incomes and could lose a life's worth of savings, we need a stronger response in tracking, targeting, and warning against new scams. I hope the Senate will move quickly on this bill that could help seniors protect their assets." Congressman Vern Buchanan: “Scams targeting the elderly are growing at a disturbing rate and need to be addressed by Congress. I’m pleased the House has passed our bill and hope it will be signed into law before the end of the year. Passing this bill would be a big step forward to protecting seniors and combating fraud.” Congressman Peter Welch: “Every day, in Vermont and across this country, vulnerable seniors are being ripped off by scam artists. It’s not uncommon for their victims to lose their life’s savings. I am pleased that the House has passed this important bill and hope that it will soon be signed into law so that the FTC has the resources it needs to alert seniors of fraudulent schemes and help stop these criminals in their tracks.”  Senator Collins: “As Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, protecting seniors from fraud and abuse is one of my top priorities. The Seniors Fraud Prevention Act will enhance fraud monitoring, increase consumer education, and strengthen the complaint tracking system.  Raising awareness—particularly among older Americans who are more likely to be targeted—is key to protecting their hard-earned savings.” Senator Klobuchar: “We must ensure all Americans have safety and dignity in their senior years, especially as we confront the coronavirus pandemic. New schemes designed to defraud seniors appear almost daily. These aren’t simply a nuisance—these scams can wipe out an entire life savings. Passing this bipartisan legislation is a critical step to combat fraud targeting seniors.” Readers: I congratulate our House of Representatives for passing legislation protecting our older population. Here is another article on this important legislation from WIBW AM-FM in Topeka, KS: WIBW-AM/FM Topeka, KS https://www.wibw.com/2020/11/18/marshalls-bill-protecting-seniors-from-covid-19-scams-passes-house/ By Sarah Motter Published: Nov. 18, 2020 at 11:57 AM CST WASHINGTON, D.C. (WIBW) - Roger Marshall’s bill to protect senior citizens from COVID-19 scams has passed through the House. Rep. Roger Marshall says on Monday, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed his bipartisan legislation to protect older Americans from COVID-19 related scams. According to Marshall, originally introduced as the bipartisan Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act, the legislation was included in the Fraud and Scam Reduction Act. “We must do everything in our power to protect our seniors from not only the virus, but also from those who prey on their fears and vulnerabilities during these difficult times,” said Rep. Marshall. “This legislation will provide our seniors with resources and up-to-date information, connections to law enforcement officers, and will help us be better prepared for future emergencies.” Marshall said the legislation charges the Federal Trade Commission to make digital resources available for older Americans and caregivers on the information of scams in their areas and gives them connections to law enforcement. He said the legislation also requires the FTC to submit a report to Congress on the number and types of scams there are targeting seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the FTC will also be made to make recommendations on how to prevent scams that target seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic and future emergencies. According to Marshall, Congressman Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) co-sponsored the House legislation. He said Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced the Senate companion bill. He said the bill was endorsed by the AARP, Elder Justice Coalition, American Society on Aging and National Adult Protective Services Association. Copyright 2020 WIBW. All rights reserved.