Americans Lost $16.6 Billion To Scams In 2024; $4.8 Billion Was Stolen From Seniors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ashley Moody joined her colleagues on the Senate Special Committee on Aging to protect seniors from getting scammed this holiday season by cosponsoring the bipartisan National Strategy for Combating Scams Act which would require the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to develop a coordinated national plan to fight scammers and fraudsters. More than four in 10 Americans say they have lost money to scams or had their sensitive information obtained fraudulently. Criminals increasingly utilize advanced tools like generative AI and voice deepfakes to deceive victims, disproportionately targeting older adults. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) identified at least 13 agencies involved in anti-scam efforts, each working independently under different mandates and authorities. GAO has recommended that the FBI take the lead in creating a National Strategy for Combating Scams to enhance federal coordination and effectiveness in fighting these crimes. Gillibrand’s legislation would give the FBI a legal obligation to follow through on this recommendation. Joining Senator Moody on this legislation are Senators Rick Scott, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Mark Kelly.
Senator Ashley Moody said, “Scams are on the rise in the U.S. and Americans are paying the price. As Attorney General in Florida, we were innovative and aggressive in cracking down on fraudsters recovering millions. As the newest U.S. Senator, I am bringing the same focus and tenacity to this ever-growing problem, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Pass the National Strategy for Combating Scams Act.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “Last year alone, Americans lost over $16 billion to scams. That’s a staggering amount of money that’s been stolen from our families, our neighbors, and, disproportionately, our seniors. I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan National Strategy for Combating Scams Act to help make sure seniors don’t get scrooged this holiday season. It’s clear that we need a coordinated national strategy to tackle the increasingly sophisticated scams targeting our seniors, and this legislation would bring that to fruition. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this vital bill across the finish line.”
Senator Rick Scott said, “Families across the country are being hammered by increasingly sophisticated scams, and Washington has been far too slow to respond. As chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, I am proud to join Ranking Member Gillibrand in this bipartisan effort to finally bring federal agencies together, cut the duplication, and create a real national plan to protect seniors and hardworking Americans. After the findings of our fraud report, it’s clear we need a coordinated strategy, not more bureaucracy or new spending, and this bill delivers exactly that. I’m proud to help lead this charge to crack down on criminals and keep Americans safe.”
Senator Mark Kelly said, “Every year, scammers steal billions of dollars from Americans, harming families, especially seniors. But the federal government lacks a strategy to address the scope and speed of these schemes. This bipartisan bill will create a coordinated approach to crack down on fraud, better protect families and seniors, and hold scammers accountable.”
The full text of the National Strategy for Combating Scams Act can be found here.
As Attorney General of Florida, Senator Ashley Moody prioritized combatting fraud and scams against Florida’s seniors. As part of her ongoing recent efforts, Senator Moody joined the effort to designate March 6, 2025 as National Slam the Scam Day to raise awareness of scams and financial exploitation targeting aging Americans.
# # #