The U.S. Senate has passed the Scam Compound Accountability and Mobilization (SCAM) Act, a bipartisan measure aimed at addressing the rise in foreign scams targeting American seniors. The legislation is designed to disrupt scam operations run by transnational criminal organizations, particularly those involving human trafficking and forced criminal activity linked to scam compounds.
The SCAM Act focuses on enhancing coordination among federal agencies, strengthening international partnerships, and holding foreign criminal networks accountable for their actions against Americans. The bill places special emphasis on protecting vulnerable populations, including seniors, from cyber-enabled fraud schemes.
Chairman Rick Scott of the Senate Special Committee on Aging stated, “We must do more to hold criminals in Communist China and around the globe who are targeting innocent Americans and conducting scam operations accountable. The SCAM Act is a critical step toward protecting our seniors and every American impacted by ensuring our law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to stop this abuse. I’m grateful to work with my colleagues on this bipartisan solution and urge my colleagues in the House to pass it quickly so we can protect the American people.”
Senator John Cornyn commented on the scope of these scams: “Transnational criminal organizations who are ensnaring innocent victims and coercing them into defrauding Americans must be held accountable. This legislation would take strategic steps to combat the growing threat of cyber scams posed by criminals connected to China and other bad actors and safeguard Americans and their pocketbooks.”
Senator Jeanne Shaheen highlighted the financial impact: “Criminal operations overseas are trafficking people to into forced criminality in scam centers and draining billions from Americans every year. I’m proud the Senate passed my bill with Senator Cornyn to ensure a comprehensive, whole-of-government response to hold these international criminal actors accountable and protect Americans’ hard-earned money.”
As chairman of the aging committee, Rick Scott has prioritized measures against scams for several years. His efforts include leading a bipartisan 2025 Fraud Report, holding field hearings in Florida, introducing various bills such as the STOP Scammers Act and GUARD Act, advocating for national anti-scam strategies, supporting National Slam the Scam Day initiatives, and promoting a toll-free Fraud Hotline aimed at educating families about fraud prevention.
The SCAM Act received cosponsorship from Senators Pete Ricketts, James Lankford, Tammy Duckworth, Maggie Hassan, Jacky Rosen, and Tim Kaine. It has also gained endorsement from AARP.
