US Senator for Alabama | US Senator for Alabama website
US Senator for Alabama | US Senator for Alabama website
U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) addressed the growing issue of financial scams during a U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs hearing on consumer fraud and scams in Washington, D.C., today. She emphasized the need for increased action to curb the rising number of financial scams affecting Alabamians.
Senator Britt highlighted the importance of public awareness and education in identifying fraud risks, underscoring the roles of both public and private sectors in this endeavor. She also stressed empowering law enforcement officers to prosecute these crimes effectively.
“The surge of financial scams – and particularly those targeted at our elderly neighbors and friends – is incredibly disturbing,” said Senator Britt. “Nation-wide fraud losses topped $10 billion last year. Just in my state, Alabamians were defrauded out of nearly $74 million, up from $55 million the year before. This is staggering.”
She noted that elder financial exploitation is significantly increasing. “Just in the first nine months of the fiscal year, there were already over 250 cases reported (in Alabama). It’s clear we must be doing more. We must be more diligent. We must do better in educating our population, particularly the elderly population, with regards to everything from romance schemes to sweepstakes scams to impersonations, which ultimately let Alabamians become victims . . . I want to make sure we are enabling law enforcement. I want to make sure we are doing everything we possibly can.”
Senator Britt urged all victims of such scams to report them immediately: “I want all the people in Alabama to know that if you are a victim of this, we need you to report it. Step one,” said the Senator.“You are not alone.”
During the hearing, witnesses provided advice on how Alabamians can protect themselves against fraud:
- To report fraud, contact the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357).
- To report a scam, call the Alabama Attorney General’s Office at (334) 242-7300 or visit AlabamaAG.gov.
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