Protecting Seniors From Emergency Scams Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. PALLONE. 446.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 446, the Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act. Representatives Kelly and Balderson introduced this bipartisan legislation to further efforts by the FTC to stop fraud targeting seniors.

This bill streamlines efforts to protect seniors from falling prey to scams during national emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, by establishing a searchable database of scams targeting seniors.

In the Committee on Energy and Commerce, we have held multiple hearings exploring the rise in fraud and scams that have come with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unfortunately, scammers often take advantage of the fear and uncertainty that results from emergency situations. And since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, consumers have reported losing more than $300 million in just pandemic-related fraud.

After Hurricane Sandy ravaged the East Coast, including my own district in New Jersey, scammers preyed on people who lost their homes and livelihoods. We saw contracting scammers promising to rebuild people's homes but who took the money and ran. One man was in prison for using fake titles to sell Sandy-damaged cars.

Unfortunately, older Americans are targeted disproportionately and affected by this fraud. Older Americans reported significantly bigger monetary losses from fraud than younger adults.

According to a recent FTC report, phone scams result in the highest reported losses by older adults, particularly adults over 80. Phone- based scams can be especially problematic in emergency situations like the pandemic when people are spending more time at home and seniors may be more isolated.

Representatives Kelly and Balderson's bill will help address these scams. It directs the FTC to issue a report on fraud targeting seniors during the pandemic and how to improve efforts against senior scams during future emergencies.

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Mr. PALLONE. Kelly), the lead sponsor of the bill who has worked so hard, particularly during the pandemic, to address disparities in healthcare.

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I also urge support for the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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