VIDEO: Senator Moody Works to Protect Floridians Online

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Senator Ashley Moody is working to protect Floridians online, including taking action to guard children from online predators as well as targeting cyber scammers looking to steal from seniors. In recognition of National Cybersecurity Month, Senator Moody is highlighting legislative efforts on behalf of Floridians.

"It's National Cybersecurity Month, and I'm reminding Floridians that criminals don't have to break into your home to steal from you-they can target you through a call, email or even a text. As U.S. Senator, I'm working to protect Floridians from online bad actors-including scammers, fraudsters, and child predators," said Senator Ashley Moody.

BACKGROUND:

• Senator Moody is championing the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, an effort she has been supportive of since she was Florida's Attorney General. KOSA provides young people and parents with the tools, safeguards, and transparency they need to protect against online harms.
• Senator Moody recently introduced the STOP Scams Against Seniors Act to help law enforcement investigate and prosecute criminals who target seniors through scams and financial fraud. Seniors are often the target of cyber scammers.
• Senator Moody is an original cosponsor of the No FAKES Act, legislation to protect Americans from having their voice and image stolen and used in unauthorized AI generated digital replicas or deepfakes. Senator Moody passed the No FAKES Act out of the Senate Judiciary Committee in June.
• Senator Moody introduced the SWIPES Act to give law enforcement stronger tools to prosecute gift card fraud, close loopholes criminals exploit and impose tougher penalties on those who knowingly target seniors. Gift card fraud occurs in many forms. Fraudsters are also known to set up fake websites that appear like legitimate sites consumers use to check gift card balances, and when a victim inputs the card's information, the fraudsters can steal the funds.
• As Florida Attorney General, Senator Moody created the Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit in 2023. During Moody's time as Attorney General, the unit froze more than $17 million in illicit funds tied to cryptocurrency scams, with 40 active crypto seizure cases involving senior citizen victims.

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