WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee approved the bipartisan Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act of 2020—bipartisan legislation backed by Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema that protects seniors from coronavirus scams.
“While we work with Arizona seniors to prevent the spread of coronavirus, we’re also working to stop criminal fraudsters seeking to take advantage of the pandemic,” said Sinema.
The Sinema-backed bipartisan bill directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report to Congress on scams targeting seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic and make recommendations on how to prevent future scams during emergencies. The Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act of 2020 instructs FTC to update its website with helpful information for Arizonans, including useful contacts for law enforcement and adult protective services. This legislation additionally requires FTC to coordinate with the media on distributing information to ensure seniors and their caregivers are informed.
Ensuring Arizona seniors are protected from scams is a top priority of Sinema’s work in the Senate. Sinema partnered with the Arizona Attorney General to raise awareness and warn Arizonans about some common coronavirus scams. These scams can include selling fake coronavirus vaccines or unproven treatments to scared families and individuals. Scammers have targeted Arizona seniors and threatened to cut off stimulus payments or food assistance if they don’t share personal information. Scammers have also distributed counterfeit personal protective equipment, which can endanger the lives of medical professionals and first responders.
Additionally, Sinema teamed up with Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.) to introduce bipartisan legislation that expands FTC authority to stop false advertising during the coronavirus pandemic by increasing civil and criminal penalties on scammers.
Sinema has a resources page on her website, www.sinema.senate.gov/corona, for Arizonans looking for updated information in English and Spanish on the coronavirus.
