Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez Introduces Legislation to Target Scammers who Prey on Older Americans

Resources / Press Share on Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez Introduces Legislation to Target Scammers who Prey on Older Americans Oct 15, 2026 Press WASHINGTON, DC — This week, Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Tom Barrett (MI-07) introduced the One Front Door for Elder Fraud Act, a piece of legislation designed to streamline the reporting process for elder fraud. This bill will create an inter-agency framework to give law enforcement and prosecutors better information to fight fraud. Reporting fraud is the first step to recovering stolen funds or preventing other would-be victims from falling prey to the same scam. Right now, there are ten federal agencies, most with their own separate intake channels, and a poorly coordinated set of federal reporting sites, plus 50+ state portals, with no single number to call and no designated first-click destination. As a result, fraud reporting is an overly complicated process that handicaps law enforcement efforts to quickly respond and, in some cases, recover stolen funds. This legislation will address these barriers. Specifically, this legislation would: Designate a single front door for elder-fraud reporting, reachable two ways, by phone and on the web, to route each request to the federal agency whose mandate fits. The hotline should answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The website should also include digital resources for combatting the most common types of scams. The new reporting framework would be similar to VSAFE, introduced by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in 2024 to create a single number and website specifically for veterans to report fraud, scams, and predatory practices. “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 Rep. 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.” “Fraudsters are constantly targeting seniors to cheat them out of their hard-earned retirement. These sophisticated scammers pose as federal agencies, banks, and even loved ones, while artificial intelligence is making impersonation easier than ever,” said Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07). “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.” “When an older American falls victim to fraud, every minute counts. Yet victims and families are often left navigating a fragmented reporting system when they need help the most. No one should have to figure out which government agency to call while their life savings are at risk. By establishing a single national entry point, available around the clock, the One Front Door for Elder Fraud Act of 2026 represents an important step toward protecting older Americans.” Yuksel Aydin, Director of the anti-scam website seniors.hcsk.org “Reporting a scam should be as simple as one click or one call. But today, older adults who’ve been scammed face a maze of reporting options, leaving them unsure where to turn and often not reporting at all. Combating fraud requires a system that makes it easy for people to report scams and for authorities to track them. By creating one front door, a single website, and hotline, the One Front Door for Elder Fraud Act would give the growing number of older adults targeted by scammers the help they deserve.” Ramsey Alwin, President and CEO, National Council on Aging During the appropriations process this year, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez advanced multiple provisions targeting scammers and helping working families keep their hard-earned money. This included encouraging the Department of Justice to pursue further action against crypto scams targeting older Americans and instructing law enforcement to work across jurisdictions to combat fraud and scams . The legislation is supported by the National Council on Aging and seniors.hsck.org. #### Share on