KEEPING SENIORS SAFE

Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) on Thursday introduced legislation to protect senior citizens from coronavirus-related scams.

The Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act would require the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to submit a report to Congress compiling scams directed at seniors during the pandemic, along with suggestions on how to stop the scams.

The FTC would also be required to update its website with more information around how seniors can protect themselves and how to contact law enforcement if the scams are successful.

The bill was introduced following a spike in malicious activity aimed at senior citizens, who are often seen as easy targets for hackers or for scammers using emails, phone calls, or texts.

“We must ensure that seniors are not being taken advantage of during the coronavirus pandemic,” Klobuchar said in a statement. “All Americans deserve safety and dignity in their senior years, yet new fraudulent schemes designed to target seniors appear almost daily.”

Moran condemned the scammers for “using fear and uncertainty to take advantage of our vulnerable populations.”

“We must ensure our seniors are protected, and this bipartisan legislation will help seniors and their caregivers become more informed about financial scams,” he added.