In response to recent reports that holiday shopping scams targeting seniors are increasing, letter calls on the Federal Trade Commission to take action
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection, called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to protect seniors from holiday shopping scams. In response to recent reports of an increase in holiday scams, including scams targeting seniors-- including scams soliciting donations to fake charities and scams falsely offering immediate coronavirus vaccination to seniors eager to spend the holidays with family--the letter urges the FTC to commit to taking action to better educate and assist seniors in recognizing holiday scams. The letter also urges the FTC to assist seniors in understanding their recourse options should they fall victim to these scams.
“More than 17 million confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases have now been identified in the United States, and many of the most serious cases have affected seniors. At the same time, recent reports have highlighted a 14 percent increase in holiday shopping scams, including holiday scams targeting seniors—arguably the population most vulnerable to both the coronavirus and bad actors. These scams range from charity scams soliciting holiday donations for fake charities to phone calls falsely offering immediate vaccinations to protect against COVID-19 infection,” the senators wrote.
“Other reports have highlighted a 440 percent increase from October to November in the volume of shipping-related scam messages—fake emails and texts about delivery and tracking information sent by scammers to consumers in order to retrieve their financial account information,” the senators continued.
“Given the seriousness of this issue, we urge the FTC to take action to better protect seniors and ensure they understand their recourse options should they fall victim to these scams.”
As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, Klobuchar has been a leader in the fight to protect consumers from fraud, especially seniors, during the coronavirus pandemic.
In July, Klobuchar and Moran led a letter urging the FTC to protect seniors from contact tracing scams following reports that scammers were posing as contact tracers in an attempt to financially exploit consumers and steal their personal identifying information, such as Social Security numbers and credit card numbers. The letter also urged the FTC to commit to taking action to better educate and assist seniors in recognizing legitimate contact tracing and understanding their recourse options should they fall victim to these scams.
In May, Klobuchar and Jerry Moran introduced legislation to protect seniors from scams during the coronavirus pandemic, which passed the Senate Commerce Committee this week. The Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act directs the Federal Trade Commission to report to Congress on scams targeting seniors during the coronavirus pandemic and make recommendations on how to prevent future scams during emergencies. In March, Klobuchar and Moran led a bipartisan letter with 32 colleagues urging FTC Chairman Joseph Simons to protect seniors from coronavirus-related scams, better inform consumers about scams, and assist victims in understanding their recourse options to ensure that seniors are protected from those attempting to financially exploit them during the pandemic.
Full text of the December 22, 2020 letter can be found HERE and below:
Dear Chairman Simons:
We write to express our concerns regarding recent reports of an increase in holiday scams targeting seniors and to ask what actions the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is taking to better protect and educate seniors.
More than 17 million confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases have now been identified in the United States, and many of the most serious cases have affected seniors. At the same time, recent reports have highlighted a 14 percent increase in holiday shopping scams, including holiday scams targeting seniors—arguably the population most vulnerable to both the coronavirus and bad actors. These scams range from charity scams soliciting holiday donations for fake charities to phone calls falsely offering immediate vaccinations to protect against COVID-19 infection. Other reports have highlighted a 440 percent increase from October to November in the volume of shipping-related scam messages—fake emails and texts about delivery and tracking information sent by scammers to consumers in order to retrieve their financial account information.
Given the seriousness of this issue, we urge the FTC to take action to better protect seniors and ensure they understand their recourse options should they fall victim to these scams. While the FTC has taken steps—including publishing consumer protection blogs —to protect seniors from holiday scams, additional actions must be taken. We respectfully request that you respond to the following questions:
- What additional measures is the FTC planning to better protect seniors and assist them as they become victims of holiday scams?
- How is the FTC working with other federal agencies to combat holiday scams?
- What efforts is the FTC currently undertaking to educate seniors about holiday scams and how to protect themselves?
- What additional resources does the FTC need in order to better protect seniors from holiday scams and educate them on how to prevent it?
Thank you for your prompt attention to this serious matter. We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
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