Combating Pandemic Scams Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-6435
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
Introduced: 2020-04-03
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Aging

Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Consumer affairs

Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation

Disability and paralysis

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Fraud offenses and financial crimes

Government information and archives

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

Marketing and advertising

Postal service
Latest action: action_date: 2021-01-05
text: Became Public Law No: 116-287.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-04-03
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Combating Pandemic Scams Act of 2020</b><br /><br />This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in consultation with relevant agencies, to inform the public about mail, telemarketing, and internet scams related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The FTC must establish a national database for such information and must also disseminate information on&nbsp;how to report COVID-19-related scams to the appropriate agency. </p>

action_date: 2020-11-16
action_desc: Reported to House
text: <p><b>Combating Pandemic Scams Act of 2020</b><br /><br />This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in consultation with relevant agencies, to inform the public about mail, telemarketing, and internet scams related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The FTC must establish a national database for such information and must also disseminate information on&nbsp;how to report COVID-19-related scams to the appropriate agency. </p>

action_date: 2020-11-17
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p><b>Combating Pandemic Scams Act of 2020</b><br /><br />This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in consultation with relevant agencies, to inform the public about mail, telemarketing, and internet scams related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The FTC must establish a national database for such information and must also disseminate information on&nbsp;how to report COVID-19-related scams to the appropriate agency. </p>

action_date: 2020-12-17
action_desc: Passed Senate
text: <p><b>Combating Pandemic Scams Act of 2020</b><br /><br />This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in consultation with relevant agencies, to inform the public about mail, telemarketing, and internet scams related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The FTC must establish a national database for such information and must also disseminate information on&nbsp;how to report COVID-19-related scams to the appropriate agency. </p>

action_date: 2021-01-05
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p><b>Combating Pandemic Scams Act of 2020</b><br /><br /> This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in consultation with relevant agencies, to inform the public about mail, telemarketing, and internet scams related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). The FTC must establish a national database for such information and must also disseminate information on&nbsp;how to report COVID-19-related scams to the appropriate agency. </p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6435 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 3, 2020 Mr. Carter of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Hudson , Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire , and Ms. Blunt Rochester ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To direct the Federal Trade Commission to develop and disseminate information to the public about scams related to COVID-19, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Combating Pandemic Scams Act of 2020 . 2. Information about scams related to COVID-19 (a) Dissemination of information (1) In general As expeditiously as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission, in consultation with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Postmaster General, the Chief Postal Inspector, and the Internet Crime Complaint Center, shall develop and disseminate information to the public about scams related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). (2) Requirements In carrying out paragraph (1), the Commission shall— (A) include— (i) information regarding mail, telemarketing, and internet fraud and illegal robocalls related to COVID-19 that identifies the most common scams; and (ii) information regarding where and how to report instances of scams related to COVID-19, including instructions on how to file a complaint with the appropriate law enforcement agency; (B) disseminate information under such paragraph in a manner that prioritizes, and that is easily accessible by and user-friendly to, senior citizens and people with infirmities and disabilities; (C) disseminate information under such paragraph on an internet website of the Commission that serves as a source of information for the public about scams related to COVID-19; and (D) regularly update the information developed and disseminated under such paragraph to keep pace with the changing nature of scams related to COVID-19. (b) Database As expeditiously as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall, in consultation with State law enforcement agencies, the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and other relevant Federal officials, establish a comprehensive national database, either within or separate from the Consumer Sentinel Network, that tracks instances of scams related to COVID-19. (c) Commission defined In this section, the term Commission means the Federal Trade Commission.

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6435 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To direct the Federal Trade Commission to develop and disseminate information to the public about scams related to COVID-19, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Combating Pandemic Scams Act of 2020 . 2. Information about scams related to COVID–19 (a) Dissemination of information (1) In general As expeditiously as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission, in consultation with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Postmaster General, the Chief Postal Inspector, and the Internet Crime Complaint Center, shall develop and disseminate information to the public about scams related to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19). (2) Requirements In carrying out paragraph (1), the Commission shall— (A) include— (i) information regarding mail, telemarketing, and internet fraud and illegal robocalls related to COVID–19 that identifies the most common scams; and (ii) information regarding where and how to report instances of scams related to COVID–19, including instructions on how to file a complaint with the appropriate law enforcement agency; (B) disseminate information under such paragraph in a manner that prioritizes, and that is easily accessible by and user-friendly to, senior citizens and people with infirmities and disabilities; (C) disseminate information under such paragraph on an internet website of the Commission that serves as a source of information for the public about scams related to COVID–19; and (D) regularly update the information developed and disseminated under such paragraph to keep pace with the changing nature of scams related to COVID–19. (b) Database As expeditiously as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall, in consultation with State law enforcement agencies, the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and other relevant Federal officials, establish a comprehensive national database, either within or separate from the Consumer Sentinel Network, that tracks instances of scams related to COVID–19. (c) Commission defined In this section, the term Commission means the Federal Trade Commission. 3. Determination of budgetary effects The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

Passed the House of Representatives November 17, 2020. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: IIB 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6435 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 18, 2020 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation AN ACT To direct the Federal Trade Commission to develop and disseminate information to the public about scams related to COVID-19, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Combating Pandemic Scams Act of 2020 . 2. Information about scams related to COVID–19 (a) Dissemination of information (1) In general As expeditiously as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission, in consultation with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Postmaster General, the Chief Postal Inspector, and the Internet Crime Complaint Center, shall develop and disseminate information to the public about scams related to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19). (2) Requirements In carrying out paragraph (1), the Commission shall— (A) include— (i) information regarding mail, telemarketing, and internet fraud and illegal robocalls related to COVID–19 that identifies the most common scams; and (ii) information regarding where and how to report instances of scams related to COVID–19, including instructions on how to file a complaint with the appropriate law enforcement agency; (B) disseminate information under such paragraph in a manner that prioritizes, and that is easily accessible by and user-friendly to, senior citizens and people with infirmities and disabilities; (C) disseminate information under such paragraph on an internet website of the Commission that serves as a source of information for the public about scams related to COVID–19; and (D) regularly update the information developed and disseminated under such paragraph to keep pace with the changing nature of scams related to COVID–19. (b) Database As expeditiously as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall, in consultation with State law enforcement agencies, the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and other relevant Federal officials, establish a comprehensive national database, either within or separate from the Consumer Sentinel Network, that tracks instances of scams related to COVID–19. (c) Commission defined In this section, the term Commission means the Federal Trade Commission. 3. Determination of budgetary effects The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

Passed the House of Representatives November 17, 2020. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 489 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6435 [Report No. 116–591] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 3, 2020 Mr. Carter of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Hudson , Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire , and Ms. Blunt Rochester ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce November 16, 2020 Additional sponsors: Mr. Guthrie and Ms. Torres Small of New Mexico November 16, 2020 Reported from the Committee on Energy and Commerce ; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed A BILL To direct the Federal Trade Commission to develop and disseminate information to the public about scams related to COVID–19, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Combating Pandemic Scams Act of 2020 . 2. Information about scams related to COVID-19 (a) Dissemination of information (1) In general As expeditiously as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission, in consultation with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Postmaster General, the Chief Postal Inspector, and the Internet Crime Complaint Center, shall develop and disseminate information to the public about scams related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). (2) Requirements In carrying out paragraph (1), the Commission shall— (A) include— (i) information regarding mail, telemarketing, and internet fraud and illegal robocalls related to COVID-19 that identifies the most common scams; and (ii) information regarding where and how to report instances of scams related to COVID-19, including instructions on how to file a complaint with the appropriate law enforcement agency; (B) disseminate information under such paragraph in a manner that prioritizes, and that is easily accessible by and user-friendly to, senior citizens and people with infirmities and disabilities; (C) disseminate information under such paragraph on an internet website of the Commission that serves as a source of information for the public about scams related to COVID-19; and (D) regularly update the information developed and disseminated under such paragraph to keep pace with the changing nature of scams related to COVID-19. (b) Database As expeditiously as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall, in consultation with State law enforcement agencies, the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and other relevant Federal officials, establish a comprehensive national database, either within or separate from the Consumer Sentinel Network, that tracks instances of scams related to COVID-19. (c) Commission defined In this section, the term Commission means the Federal Trade Commission.

November 16, 2020 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: I One Hundred Sixteenth Congress of the United States of America At the Second Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Friday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty H. R. 6435 AN ACT To direct the Federal Trade Commission to develop and disseminate information to the public about scams related to COVID-19, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Combating Pandemic Scams Act of 2020 . 2. Information about scams related to COVID–19 (a) Dissemination of information (1) In general As expeditiously as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission, in consultation with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Postmaster General, the Chief Postal Inspector, and the Internet Crime Complaint Center, shall develop and disseminate information to the public about scams related to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19). (2) Requirements In carrying out paragraph (1), the Commission shall— (A) include— (i) information regarding mail, telemarketing, and internet fraud and illegal robocalls related to COVID–19 that identifies the most common scams; and (ii) information regarding where and how to report instances of scams related to COVID–19, including instructions on how to file a complaint with the appropriate law enforcement agency; (B) disseminate information under such paragraph in a manner that prioritizes, and that is easily accessible by and user-friendly to, senior citizens and people with infirmities and disabilities; (C) disseminate information under such paragraph on an internet website of the Commission that serves as a source of information for the public about scams related to COVID–19; and (D) regularly update the information developed and disseminated under such paragraph to keep pace with the changing nature of scams related to COVID–19. (b) Database As expeditiously as possible after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall, in consultation with State law enforcement agencies, the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and other relevant Federal officials, establish a comprehensive national database, either within or separate from the Consumer Sentinel Network, that tracks instances of scams related to COVID–19. (c) Commission defined In this section, the term Commission means the Federal Trade Commission. 3. Determination of budgetary effects The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.