Manuel Lujan: “I am proud to support the Fraud and Scam Reduction Act, which includes my bipartisan Protecting Indian Tribes from Scams…”

“I am proud to support the Fraud and Scam Reduction Act, which includes my bipartisan Protecting Indian Tribes from Scams Act that I introduced alongside Representative Gianforte, to address the rise of scams during this deadly pandemic. As our Nation grieves the loss of more than 247,000 Americans to COVID-19, and millions of families experience financial hardship, it is nothing short of reprehensible that scammers are preying on the most vulnerable amongst us. Fraud reports to the Federal Trade Commission, which had been steady at 770,000 per quarter over the past 4 years, jumped to 1.1 million this summer, including an increase of 144 percent coinciding with the pandemic. That demonstrates why we must come together to protect Americans against fraud and theft. Nationwide, predatory schemes have already cost Americans over $1.5 billion in stolen assets so far in 2020. Scammers have targeted the $1,200 economic impact payments, peddled false treatments for COVID-19, and attempted to sell defective personal protective equipment at a time when the fears and confusion over COVID-19 remain high. These scams have put elders', military servicemembers', and families' health and finances at risk, and it is time for Congress to put an end to the despicable practice. This bipartisan effort will help Congress take additional measures to tackle this threat and better understand the scale of this crisis.…”