Barrett, Gluesenkamp Perez Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on Elder Fraud

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) and Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) introduced the One Front Door for Elder Fraud Act to establish a 24/7 hotline and website to serve as a one-stop shop for reporting scams and fraud targeting seniors. The platform would help law enforcement catch and prosecute criminals while offering seniors resources to protect themselves from potential scams.

Fraud costs American seniors billions of dollars every year. The latest reporting by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) found that adults aged 60 and older lost about $2.4 billion to fraud in 2024 alone.

"Fraudsters are constantly targeting seniors to cheat them out of their hard-earned retirement," Barrett said. "These sophisticated scammers pose as federal agencies, banks, and even loved ones, while artificial intelligence is making impersonation easier than ever. Families need resources to recognize and quickly report suspected fraud. By establishing a 24/7, one-stop shop for addressing elder fraud, this bipartisan bill will protect vulnerable seniors and empower law enforcement to crack down on these criminals."

"People who steal from seniors and retirees are the lowest of the low. No one should have to navigate impenetrable government websites or spend hours stuck on hold trying to report these scams," said Gluesenkamp Perez. "My bill makes it simple, you call one number or go to one site and your report goes directly to the investigator you need. When we give law enforcement the tools to fight back, they can respond immediately and take on these predatory scammers."

Currently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) operates an elder fraud hotline, but it is only available during business hours, and finding relevant information from different federal agencies can be difficult.

Under the One Front Door for Elder Fraud Act, the FTC and DOJ would be responsible for operating a 24/7 elder fraud hotline and website, which would enable a senior or loved one to file a complaint about any fraud or scam, submit a message allegedly from the federal government to verify whether it is legitimate, and request a connection with the appropriate federal, state, and local authorities.

The website would also provide resources for combating the most common types of elder fraud and scams - including resources at relevant federal agencies.

CLICK HERE to read the One Front Door for Elder Fraud Act of 2026.