Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37) has introduced a resolution to raise awareness about the barrage of fraud attempts that seniors face nationwide. The resolution encourages Congress to implement policies to prevent senior scams from happening and to improve protections from these scams. The resolution would also support the designation of May 15, 2018, as “National Senior Fraud Awareness Day”.
“Senior scams are becoming more sophisticated and more common,” Bass said. “As a result, Congress should adapt and react. The resolution I’ve introduced this week calls on Congress to not only pass legislation to prevent senior scams from happening, but also to improve protections for seniors from these vicious scams. I look forward to working with my colleagues to diminish the effects these scams have had on the older members of our communities.”
House Resolution 765 was introduced with Democratic Caucus Seniors Task Force Co-Chairs Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Il.) and Doris Matsui (D-CA), in addition to Congressional Caucus on Elder Justice Co-Chairs Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Peter King (R-NY).
“Financial fraud and scams are a problem for all of us, but it is especially a problem for older Americans, who are a favorite target,” said Seniors Task Force Co-Chairs Reps. Schakowsky and Matsui. “Estimates are that each year seniors lose more than $36.5 billion of their hard-earned retirement savings every year, and that number is growing. That is why we are so pleased to join our friend and colleague Rep. Karen Bass on H.Res. 765, which would establish May 15 as National Senior Fraud Awareness Day. With greater education, we can make older Americans, caregivers and families aware of scams and help them learn how to avoid them.”
“Elder fraud is a serious problem,” Bonamici said. “In Oregon and across the country, seniors lose millions of dollars each year to scammers who target them. In addition to losing money, seniors also lose their dignity and confidence. We need strong protections against these scams, and vigorous enforcement to hold the scammers accountable. I thank my colleagues for calling attention to this important issue, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect and support our seniors.”
“It is imperative that we continue to advocate for common sense protections for our nation’s seniors,” King noted. “I look forward to working with Rep. Bass and my House colleagues to make sure Congress implements legislation that prevents elder exploitation.”
