Seniors Fraud Prevention Act of 2021

Seniors Fraud Prevention Act of 2021

This bill directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to establish an office within the Bureau of Consumer Protection to advise the FTC on preventing fraud targeting seniors and to assist the FTC in monitoring the market for mail, television, internet, telemarketing, and recorded message telephone call (robocall) fraud targeting seniors.

The office must (1) disseminate to seniors and their families and caregivers information about the most common fraud schemes, including methods of reporting complaints either to the FTC's national toll-free telephone number or to the FTC's Consumer Sentinel Network, where complaints become immediately available to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, state attorneys general, and other appropriate law enforcement agencies; (2) provide, in response to a specific request about a particular entity or individual, publicly available information regarding the FTC's enforcement action; and (3) maintain a website as a resource for information on fraud targeting seniors.

Bill 117 HR 982, also known as the Seniors Fraud Prevention Act of 2021, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of protecting senior citizens from falling victim to fraudulent schemes and scams. The bill seeks to establish an office within the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) dedicated to preventing fraud targeting seniors.

The Seniors Fraud Prevention Act of 2021 would require the FTC to create a website and toll-free phone number for seniors to report instances of fraud. The bill also calls for the FTC to collaborate with other federal agencies, state and local law enforcement, and non-profit organizations to educate seniors about common scams and how to protect themselves.

Additionally, the legislation would authorize the FTC to provide grants to organizations that work to prevent fraud against seniors, as well as conduct research on the best practices for preventing senior fraud. Overall, the Seniors Fraud Prevention Act of 2021 aims to empower seniors with the knowledge and resources they need to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes, ultimately helping to protect this vulnerable population from financial exploitation.