[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 195 (Tuesday, November 17, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H5831-H5833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  COMBATING PANDEMIC SCAMS ACT OF 2020

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 6435) to direct the Federal Trade Commission to develop and 
disseminate information to the public about scams related to COVID-19, 
and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6435

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Combating Pandemic Scams Act 
     of 2020''.

     SEC. 2. INFORMATION ABOUT SCAMS RELATED TO COVID-19.

       (a) Dissemination of Information.--
       (1) In general.--As expeditiously as possible after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission, in 
     consultation with the Attorney General, the Secretary of 
     Health and Human Services, the Postmaster General, the Chief 
     Postal Inspector, and the Internet Crime Complaint Center, 
     shall develop and disseminate information to the public about 
     scams related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
       (2) Requirements.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
     Commission shall--
       (A) include--
       (i) information regarding mail, telemarketing, and internet 
     fraud and illegal

[[Page H5832]]

     robocalls related to COVID-19 that identifies the most common 
     scams; and
       (ii) information regarding where and how to report 
     instances of scams related to COVID-19, including 
     instructions on how to file a complaint with the appropriate 
     law enforcement agency;
       (B) disseminate information under such paragraph in a 
     manner that prioritizes, and that is easily accessible by and 
     user-friendly to, senior citizens and people with infirmities 
     and disabilities;
       (C) disseminate information under such paragraph on an 
     internet website of the Commission that serves as a source of 
     information for the public about scams related to COVID-19; 
     and
       (D) regularly update the information developed and 
     disseminated under such paragraph to keep pace with the 
     changing nature of scams related to COVID-19.
       (b) Database.--As expeditiously as possible after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall, in 
     consultation with State law enforcement agencies, the 
     Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, the 
     Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 
     and other relevant Federal officials, establish a 
     comprehensive national database, either within or separate 
     from the Consumer Sentinel Network, that tracks instances of 
     scams related to COVID-19.
       (c) Commission Defined.--In this section, the term 
     ``Commission'' means the Federal Trade Commission.

     SEC. 3. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 6435.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 6435, the Combating 
Pandemic Scams Act. This bipartisan bill was introduced by 
Representatives Carter, Kuster, Hudson, and Blunt Rochester. I thank 
them for introducing this measure to help stem the tide of scams and 
fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  In July, the Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on 
Consumer Protection and Commerce held a hearing on increased risks 
during the COVID-19 pandemic. During that hearing, we heard about all 
the ways scammers are taking advantage of the ongoing national 
emergency for personal gain. Whether phishing for stimulus checks or 
fundraising for fake charities, scammers are exploiting Americans 
already struggling financially and diverting resources away from where 
they could provide desperately needed help.
  One new scam that has emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic is the 
contact tracing scam. This scam, which involves fraudsters posing as 
contact tracers from public health departments, is exacerbating the 
public health crisis by undermining one of the most effective tools we 
have to keep communities safe.
  Instead of documenting the spread of the virus or alerting those who 
might have been exposed, these scammers are only interested in duping 
Americans into turning over sensitive personal information or 
downloading malicious software on their device.
  H.R. 6435 will establish a comprehensive national database of scams 
related to COVID-19 so that the public can differentiate the real 
contact tracers from the imposters and learn how to identify other 
scams on their own. It will also require the Federal Trade Commission 
to inform the public about mail, telemarketing, and internet scams 
related to COVID-19, including how to report such scams to the 
appropriate agency.
  Mr. Speaker, as the pandemic continues, we will continue to see more 
scams unfold, unfortunately. But this bill will make sure that the 
American public is regularly updated about scams so they can protect 
themselves and their loved ones.
  Mr. Speaker, this is an important bill. It is going to protect 
consumers during this pandemic, and I call on all of my colleagues to 
support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6435, the Combating Pandemic 
Scams Act of 2020. I thank Representative Buddy Carter from Georgia, 
along with Representatives Kuster, Blunt Rochester, and Hudson, for 
their work and their leadership on, again, another bipartisan piece of 
legislation.
  As we all know, we are in the midst of this horrible pandemic. COVID-
19 has forced millions of Americans to isolate and rely on the internet 
to work, learn, receive healthcare, stay connected to loved ones, and 
so much more. Unfortunately, bad actors come out of the gutters 
wherever they live to seek to exploit times of crisis and target our 
most vulnerable.
  During this pandemic, we have seen scammers attempt to exploit 
consumer fear and confusion by falsely promising additional stimulus 
checks, illegitimate lifesaving medications, and fake avenues to save 
businesses or pay employees--all scams.
  H.R. 6435 aims to protect Americans, especially senior citizens and 
people with disabilities, from malicious and deceptive scams. The bill 
directs the Federal Trade Commission to prioritize informing the most 
vulnerable among us about mail, telemarketing, and internet scams, all 
related to COVID-19.
  Importantly, the bill would provide Americans with the tools they 
need to educate and protect themselves against these very scams. This 
legislation will be even more important as we work together to ensure 
that the COVID vaccine is delivered in a safe and timely fashion.
  Mr. Speaker, I am glad to see H.R. 6435 under consideration today. I 
urge all of my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster), the sponsor of the bill.
  Ms. KUSTER of New Hampshire. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
6435, the Combating Pandemic Scams Act of 2020.
  Mr. Speaker, I was proud to help introduce this bipartisan bill with 
my colleague Buddy Carter in April, and I appreciate the support of our 
colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle. I would like to take a 
moment to commend Buddy for his leadership on this important topic.
  During these challenging times for our country, I have constantly 
been impressed by Americans' commitment to helping their neighbors pull 
through this crisis. Sadly, where many see an opportunity to lend a 
helping hand, others see a chance to make a quick buck.
  Scammers have posed as medical researchers, offering opportunities to 
participate in clinical trials. They have attempted to sell nonexistent 
PPE. They have even tried to trick seniors into buying fake COVID-19 
test kits. These shameful acts must not only be condemned, but Congress 
must take action to crack down on these scams and inform the American 
people of these devious efforts.
  Our bipartisan legislation will help stop COVID scams by directing 
Federal agencies and departments to inform Americans about these 
criminal schemes so they can stay alert and keep themselves safe. By 
aggregating data and providing the public with information on mail, 
telemarketing, and robocall fraud schemes, Americans can defend 
themselves and their families.

  Mr. Speaker, this bill is an important step forward, and I urge my 
colleagues to support it.
  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Carter), the coauthor of the bill who has been very active 
on many of these pieces of legislation.
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my legislation, H.R. 6435, because 
of the positive impact it will have on the American people.

[[Page H5833]]

  It has been no surprise that we have seen a rise in fraud and 
criminal activity as the Nation grapples with the pandemic response. In 
these difficult times, scammers have sought to take advantage of our 
fellow Americans. Whether it is elderly individuals being preyed upon 
by financial scammers or people ordering fake health products, there 
has been a number of scams facing our constituents.
  That is why I introduced the Combating Pandemic Scams Act with my 
good friend, Congresswoman Kuster, to address this issue.
  This bill would direct the FTC, along with other Federal partners, to 
disseminate information about these scams to the public to better 
protect themselves. That information would be user-friendly, ensuring 
vulnerable populations, such as senior citizens and those with 
disabilities, would have the same amount of access. Ensuring people 
have the most up-to-date information on how to protect themselves is 
critical to getting through these trying times.
  Federal agencies, such as the FTC, have been very active in going 
after these offenders who have targeted Americans during this pandemic. 
This bill will support those Federal efforts and help prepare Americans 
to help protect themselves from these scams.
  The bottom line is, this is commonsense legislation to go after the 
people preying on our neighbors and communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their bipartisan support of 
this legislation and the committee staff for their work on getting this 
across the finish line.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation.

                              {time}  1445

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky), the chair of the subcommittee.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, here we have another great bipartisan 
bill that has come out of the committee I am so proud to chair, the 
Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the Energy and 
Commerce Committee. I thank the authors of the legislation: 
Representatives Carter, Hudson, Kuster, and Blunt Rochester.
  The COVID-19 pandemic has been a time of confusion and fear for many 
Americans, and scammers have noticed. Fraudsters have tried to steal 
stimulus checks and trick consumers with fake medical treatments and 
even vaccines. Seniors and those with disabilities are especially 
vulnerable.
  This legislation will protect American consumers, especially our most 
vulnerable, by increasing public awareness of COVID-19 scams. It 
directs the Federal Trade Commission to develop and disseminate 
information to the public about scams related to COVID-19.
  The FTC will also create a comprehensive national database that 
tracks the COVID-19 scams in consultation with the Attorney General and 
the HHS Secretary. This database will protect American consumers from 
malicious scams. Consumers will be armed with information about the 
pandemic scams and how to avoid those scams. So we must act now to 
prevent further harm to American consumers.
  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank our colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle for their work on this legislation. I urge its passage, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I also urge support for the bill, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6435, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________