S. 15Senate117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 7, 2026 at 9:32 PM UTC

The Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study and report on scams that target older adults, especially during national emergencies. It requires the FTC to share its findings and recommendations with Congress and to make information about these scams publicly available. The bill aims to help seniors, their families, and caregivers avoid fraud by improving awareness and coordination with law‑enforcement and media outlets.

Key Provisions

The FTC must submit a report to Congress within 30 days of the law’s enactment describing the number and types of scams aimed at seniors and offering policy recommendations to prevent them, particularly in future emergencies.
The FTC must update its online portal to provide searchable, region‑specific information on senior‑targeted scams, including contact details for law‑enforcement and adult protective services.
The FTC must work with media outlets and law‑enforcement agencies to distribute the portal’s information to seniors, their families, and caregivers.

Legislative Activity

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4 earlier actions

SenateCalendars Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 191.

December 16, 2021

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 22, 2021

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

January 22, 2021

SenateCommittee

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

April 28, 2021

SenateCommittee

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell without amendment. Without written report.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

December 16, 2021

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 191.

December 16, 2021

Bill Text

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Reported to SenateIssued December 16, 2021

Calendar No. 191

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 15

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 22, 2021

Ms. Klobuchar (for herself, Mr. Moran, Ms. Sinema, and Mr. Van Hollen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

December 16, 2021

Reported by Ms. Cantwell, without amendment

A BILL

To require the Federal Trade Commission to submit a report to Congress on scams targeting seniors, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act.

FTC report on scams targeting seniors during emergencies

Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Trade Commission (referred to in this Act as the Commission) shall submit a report to Congress including—

(1)

a description of the number and types of scams identified by the Commission as being targeted at senior citizens; and

(2)

policy recommendations to prevent such scams, especially as such scams relate to future national emergencies.

Increasing awareness of scams targeting seniors

(a)

In general

As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall update its web portal to include the latest information, searchable by region and type of scam, on scams targeting seniors, including contacts for relevant law enforcement and adult protective service agencies.

(b)

Coordination with media outlets and law enforcement

The Commission shall work with media outlets and law enforcement to distribute the information included in the web portal of the Commission pursuant to subsection (a) to senior citizens and their families and caregivers.

December 16, 2021

Reported without amendment