KELLY INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION FOCUSED ON PROTECTING SENIORS

Congresswoman Robin Kelly during an event in February where she met with older constituents. Kelly has introduced H.R. 7699, Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act, bipartisan legislation that directs the Federal Trade Commission to report the number and types of scams targeting seniors during the pandemic to Congress. Photo courtesy of Congresswoman Robin Kelly
Congresswoman Robin Kelly during an event in February where she met with older constituents. Kelly has introduced H.R. 7699, Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act, bipartisan legislation that directs the Federal Trade Commission to report the number and types of scams targeting seniors during the pandemic to Congress. Photo courtesy of Congresswoman Robin Kelly

KELLY INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION FOCUSED ON PROTECTING SENIORS

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Congresswoman Robin Kelly has introduced a bill, H.R. 7699, Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act. The bipartisan legislation directs The Federal Trade Commission to report the number and types of scams targeting seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic to Congress.

The bill, which is endorsed by AARP, Elder Justice Coalition, American Society on Aging and National Adult Protective Services Association, requires recommendations from the Federal Trade Commission on how to prevent scams targeting seniors during the pandemic, with a look toward future emergencies.

It also directs the Federal Trade Commission to update its web portal, with information on scams targeting seniors.

“Our senior citizens have borne the brunt of this pandemic. Now, scammers and rip-off artists are targeting older Americans and preying on their fears related to COVID-19,” Kelly said. “We have a moral obligation to stop these con artists by empowering seniors with facts and information while aggressively targeting criminals with all available Federal Trade Commission resources.”

Kelly said it seems like when different events, pandemics happen, con artists come out and prey on seniors. She said Congress needed to give the Federal Trade Commission the tools to fight the scammers. She said there is a concern for the senior population. “I don’t know if it’s a nice person who calls on the phone. These people are charming. These seniors could be lonely,” she said. “Obviously, they’re lied to, also.”

Kelly said oftentimes, the scams have something to do with finances. “They lose money on the deal. They could get their social security number, or they could get their credit card, something along that line. They prey on them and it’s usually for financial gain,” she said.

Kelly said constituents are getting calls from scammers purporting to have the cure or a prescription drug that may prevent coronavirus. Other scam calls are related to the Internal Revenue Service and telling people they would need to give money to get money from the HEROES Act.

Kelly said she is hopeful that this bipartisan, bicameral bill will get passed. Congressman Roger Marshall, M.D., R-Kansas, is a co-sponsor of the legislation. On the Senate side, Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Senator Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, have introduced companion bill S. 3824. Kelly said it shows the scams are happening all over to seniors in urban, suburban and rural areas.

“I hope we can get it passed because people have enough to worry about, with COVID, and themselves and their families and this shouldn’t be something they have to worry about and seniors should definitely not be preyed upon, it’s shameful,” she said.

Kelly has worked with Marshall on telecom legislation in the past. “It is despicable that people would exploit the fear and uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic to take advantage of vulnerable Americans,” Marshall said. “Ensuring that all Americans have access to timely information about current scams, as well as where to turn for help, is important as we work to crack down on these predatory crimes. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to protect our senior citizens from fraud.”

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