To Put an End to Scams Targeting Seniors, Tester Backs Bipartisan Bill

Senator announces support for legislation pushing the FTC to better prevent fraud against the elderly

(Kalispell, Mont.) – At the Agency on Aging’s 40th annual Older Americans Picnic today, U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced his support for bipartisan legislation aimed at stopping scams that target seniors.

The Government Accountability Office reports that scams cost seniors an estimated $2.9 billion annually. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), one in four seniors contacted by scammers ended up sending them money last year—losing an average of $9,000 each. That’s up from just one in 14 seniors the year before.

“Washington isn’t doing enough to protect our seniors from fraud,” Tester said at today’s event. “That’s why I’m backing a bill to help put an end to the endless scams that target the elderly and cost them nearly $3 billion every year.”

The Tester-backed Senior Fraud Prevention Act will help stop scams that target the elderly by directing the FTC to establish a fraud prevention office, educate seniors about fraud, and maintain reporting systems to help law enforcement find and prosecute scammers.

Tester has been a champion for Montana seniors, ensuring they have access to critical entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare. He recently sponsored the Medicare Mental Health Access Act to give seniors expanded access to mental health services. He has also authored a bipartisan bill to make Medicare Part D more transparent and lower costs for seniors taking prescription drugs.