Title: A resolution supporting the designation of May 15, 2019, as "National Senior Fraud Awareness Day" to raise awareness about the increasing number of fraudulent schemes targeting seniors in the United States, to encourage the implementation of policies to prevent those schemes, and to improve protections from those schemes for seniors.
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for the designation of May 15, 2019, as National Senior Fraud Awareness Day and encourages the development of policies that help prevent scams targeting older adults.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 210 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 210

Supporting the designation of May 15, 2019, as ``National Senior Fraud 
   Awareness Day'' to raise awareness about the increasing number of 
fraudulent schemes targeting seniors in the United States, to encourage 
the implementation of policies to prevent those schemes, and to improve 
              protections from those schemes for seniors.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 14, 2019

Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Casey, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Jones, Mr. Scott of 
Florida, Ms. Rosen, Ms. McSally, Ms. Warren, and Ms. Sinema) submitted 
      the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Supporting the designation of May 15, 2019, as ``National Senior Fraud 
   Awareness Day'' to raise awareness about the increasing number of 
fraudulent schemes targeting seniors in the United States, to encourage 
the implementation of policies to prevent those schemes, and to improve 
              protections from those schemes for seniors.

Whereas, in 2035, there will be an estimated 78,000,000 individuals age 65 or 
        older in the United States (referred to in this preamble as 
        ``seniors''), compared to an estimated 76,700,000 individuals under the 
        age of 18;
Whereas senior fraud is a growing concern as millions of seniors in the United 
        States are targeted by scams each year, including Internal Revenue 
        Service impersonation scams, identify theft or identity fraud involving 
        Social Security benefits and other identity theft, sweepstakes and 
        lottery scams, grandparent scams, computer tech support scams, romance 
        scams, work-at-home scams, charity scams, home improvement scams, and 
        fraudulent investment schemes;
Whereas other types of fraud perpetrated against seniors include health care 
        fraud, health insurance fraud, counterfeit prescription drug fraud, 
        funeral and cemetery fraud, ``anti-aging'' product fraud, telemarketing 
        fraud, and internet fraud;
Whereas the Government Accountability Office has estimated that seniors lose a 
        staggering $2,900,000,000 each year to an ever-growing array of 
        financial exploitation schemes and scams;
Whereas, since 2013, the fraud hotline of the Special Committee on Aging of the 
        Senate has received more than 8,200 complaints reporting possible scams 
        from individuals in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the 
        Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
Whereas the ease with which criminals contact seniors through the internet and 
        telephone increases as more creative schemes emerge;
Whereas, according to the Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2018, released by 
        the Federal Trade Commission, people age 60 or older were defrauded of 
        approximately $391,000,000 in 2018, with the median loss to defrauded 
        victims age 80 or older averaging $1,700 per person, more than double 
        the average amount lost by victims between the ages of 50 and 59;
Whereas senior fraud is underreported by victims due to embarrassment and lack 
        of information about where to report fraud; and
Whereas May 15, 2019, is an appropriate day to establish as ``National Senior 
        Fraud Awareness Day'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the designation of May 15, 2019, as ``National 
        Senior Fraud Awareness Day'';
            (2) recognizes National Senior Fraud Awareness Day as an 
        opportunity to raise awareness about the barrage of scams that 
        individuals age 65 or older in the United States (referred to 
        in this resolution as ``seniors'') face in person, by mail, on 
        the phone, and online;
            (3) recognizes that law enforcement, consumer protection 
        groups, area agencies on aging, and financial institutions all 
        play vital roles in preventing scams targeting seniors and 
        educating seniors about those scams;
            (4) encourages implementation of policies to prevent scams 
        targeting seniors and to improve measures to protect seniors 
        from those scams; and
            (5) honors the commitment and dedication of the individuals 
        and organizations that work tirelessly to fight against scams 
        targeting seniors.
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