Representatives Annie Kuster (D-NH), Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA), Richard Hudson (R-NC) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) have introduced legislation to protect Americans from COVID-19-related scams. Across the nation, there has been a rise in fraud and scams related to the COVID-19 pandemic including misinformation and false claims about COVID-19 treatments, testing, and prevention. Bad actors are taking advantage of public fear and anxiety related to this national health emergency to steal money and obtain Americans’ personal financial information. 

The Combating Pandemic Scams Act would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the United States Postal Service (USPS), and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (ICCC) to inform the public about coronavirus scams so that Americans will be able to better protect themselves from fraud. 

“We are living in a time of stress and uncertainty, and as we combat the spread of COVID-19 in New Hampshire and across the U.S., we must also combat the spread of misinformation and scams,” said Rep. Kuster. “Unfortunately, some have seen this public health and economic crisis as an opportunity to take advantage of Americans – especially the most vulnerable among us. By providing critical information and resources to avoid COVID-19 scams, we can keep consumers safe and prevent bad actors from taking advantage of Americans during this national emergency.”

"As the nation grapples with the COVID-19 response, bad actors are taking advantage of the pandemic by scamming or price gouging innocent Americans," said Rep. Carter. "According to the Federal Trade Commission, there have been nearly 8,500 reports of fraud or scams during the public health crisis. As businesses struggle, hardworking Americans lose their paychecks and Americans worry about the health of their families, it is abhorrent that scammers are preying on this vulnerable situation. It is also illegal. As federal agencies go after these criminals, I introduced this legislation today because it's necessary that the public is informed of the scams and price gouging so they can be avoided. The more Americans know about the scams, the easier it will be to protect themselves."

“As the coronavirus pandemic continues to develop, unfortunately bad actors have tried to use this public health crisis to prey on people through scams and price gouging. The Combating Pandemic Scams Act will ensure the public is aware of scams to better protect themselves and their loved ones,” said Rep. Hudson. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this common sense legislation.”

“At a time of heightened anxiety for Americans across the country, there are, unfortunately, those who would seek to prey on and take advantage of those anxieties through false claims and scams,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester. “The FTC and the federal government as a whole need to ensure that the American people are getting timely and accurate information about those bad actors so that those scams can be avoided. I’m proud to be joining Reps. Carter, Kuster, and Hudson in this bipartisan effort to protect American consumers.”

The Combating Pandemic Scams Act would require the FTC, along with HHS, USPS, and the ICCC, to develop and disseminate information to the public on coronavirus scams including mail, telemarketing, internet, and robocall fraud. This information must be kept up-to-date with the latest information and include instructions on how to report fraud and abuse. The legislation also requires the timely establishment of a national database on scams in consultation with relevant federal partners.

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