Title: Expressing support for the designation of May 15, 2019, as "National Senior Fraud Awareness Day" to raise awareness about the barrage of fraud attempts that seniors face, to encourage the implementation of policies to prevent these scams from happening, and to improve protections from these scams for seniors.
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Senior Fraud Awareness Day and encourages the implementation of policies that prevent such fraud and improve protections for seniors.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 339 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 339

 Expressing support for the designation of May 15, 2019, as ``National 
 Senior Fraud Awareness Day'' to raise awareness about the barrage of 
 fraud attempts that seniors face, to encourage the implementation of 
    policies to prevent these scams from happening, and to improve 
               protections from these scams for seniors.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 1, 2019

 Ms. Bass (for herself, Ms. Bonamici, Ms. Schakowsky, and Ms. Matsui) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                         on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for the designation of May 15, 2019, as ``National 
 Senior Fraud Awareness Day'' to raise awareness about the barrage of 
 fraud attempts that seniors face, to encourage the implementation of 
    policies to prevent these scams from happening, and to improve 
               protections from these scams for seniors.

Whereas Americans who are 65 years of age and older represent more than 14 
        percent of our country's population;
Whereas senior fraud is a growing concern as millions have fallen victim to 
        scams, including Medicare scams, sweepstakes and lottery scams, work-at-
        home scams, bereavement scams, identity theft, charity scams, scams 
        targeting older women, home repair scams, fraudulent investment schemes, 
        and reverse mortgage scams;
Whereas other types of fraud perpetrated against senior citizens 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 life savings of senior citizens who have saved for retirement are 
        tempting targets for these methods of fraud and deception;
Whereas the ease of access for criminals to 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 aged 60 years and older were 
        defrauded of $391 million during 2018, with the median loss to defrauded 
        victims aged 80 and older averaging $1,700 per person, more than three 
        times the average amount lost by those aged between 50 and 59 years old;
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 House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``National Senior Fraud 
        Awareness Day'';
            (2) recognizes ``National Senior Fraud Awareness Day'' as 
        an opportunity to raise awareness about the barrage of scams 
        that seniors face in person, by mail, on the phone, and online;
            (3) encourages implementation of policies to prevent these 
        scams and to improve protections for seniors from these scams; 
        and
            (4) honors the commitment and dedication of the individuals 
        who work tirelessly to fight against these scams.
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