Protecting Seniors from Scams Act

Bill: 116-hr-7685
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-10]
Introduced: 2020-07-20
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Aging

Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Congressional oversight

Consumer affairs

Crime prevention

Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation

Economic performance and conditions

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Fraud offenses and financial crimes

Government information and archives

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Latest action: action_date: 2020-07-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-07-20
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Protecting Seniors from Scams Act</b><br /><br />This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission to report on, and increase awareness regarding, scams targeting older adults. Specifically, the commission must</p> <ul> <li>report on the number and type of scams that target older adults, including scams related to economic stimulus and relief payments related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), and provide policy recommendations to prevent such scams; </li> <li>revise the commission's web portal with current information about such scams, including contact information for law enforcement and adult protective services agencies; and </li> <li>coordinate with media outlets and law enforcement to disseminate such information. </li></ul>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7685 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 20, 2020 Mr. Harder of California introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce , and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To require the Federal Trade Commission in consultation with the Internal Revenue Service to submit a report to Congress on scams targeting seniors, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting Seniors from Scams Act . 2. FTC report on scams targeting seniors during emergencies Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Trade Commission (referred to in this Act as the Commission ) shall, in consultation with the Internal Revenue Service (referred to in this Act as the IRS ), submit a report to Congress including— (1) a description of the number and types of scams identified by the Commission as being targeted at senior citizens, including scams related to economic stimulus and relief payments related to COVID–19; and (2) policy recommendations to prevent such scams, especially as such scams relate to future national emergencies. 3. Increasing awareness of scams targeting seniors (a) In general As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission and the IRS shall each update their websites to include the latest information, searchable by region and type of scam, on scams targeting seniors, including contacts for relevant law enforcement and adult protective service agencies. (b) Coordination with media outlets and law enforcement The Commission shall work with media outlets and law enforcement agencies to distribute the information included in the website of the Commission pursuant to subsection (a) to senior citizens and their families and caregivers.