WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers voted for two bipartisan bills today to reduce fraud and scams across the country, particularly those that target older adults. The House passed the Fraud and Scam Reduction Act (H.R. 1215) and Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams (H.R. 446). Together, the bills expand activities to address mail, telephone and internet fraud, while also increasing training programs and public awareness. 

"Scam artists are relentless in their pursuit to steal hard-earned money and retirement funds from people across the country, often changing their tactics, making it difficult to track and enforce current laws. These new bills put into place more advisory groups to improve the way scamming information is identified, monitored and shared, so we can increase public awareness more effectively and provide law enforcement with more detailed information," said Congressman Rogers.

H.R. 1215 specifically establishes a Senior Scams Prevention Advisory Group to create educational material for retailers, financial-services companies and wire-transfer companies to help identify and prevent scams. It also requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to establish an advisory office in the Bureau of Consumer Protection ot assist the FTC in monitoring scams. 

H.R. 446 requires the FTC to report on and increase awareness regarding scams targeting older adults. They must also coordinate with adult protective services agencies, media outlets and law enforcement to disseminate accurate information. 

For more information about Congressman Rogers' work in Washington and Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District, visit halrogers.house.gov or follow him on Facebook.