Kelly, Scott Lead Bipartisan Resolution Designating March 5th as National Slam the Scam Day

Today, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Rick Scott (R-FL), members of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, announced the introduction of their resolution to designate March 5th as National Slam the Scam Day to raise awareness about government imposter scams targeting older Americans. Kelly has led this resolution in the Senate for the past five years.

While one in four people have reported being scammed out of money and losses surpassed $10 billion in 2023 alone, this growing issue continues to threaten American seniors' ability to enjoy their golden years. This resolution highlights the importance of education and prevention efforts to combat scams, encouraging Americans to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and share essential information to protect themselves and others.

This resolution is cosponsored by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Susan Collins (R-ME), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA).

"Scammers are stealing billions of dollars from Americans every year, and older adults are often the ones hit the hardest. No one should lose their life savings because of scammers impersonating government agencies," said Kelly. "If you get a suspicious call or message, hang up and report it. I am proud to lead this effort again to raise awareness and protect families in Arizona and across the country."

"I'm proud to again lead this resolution in the Senate to recognize March 5^th as National Slam the Scam Day. As frauds and scams grow more sophisticated, seniors are continuously being targeted and falling victim to government imposter scams that cost billions of dollars each year. In partnership with the Social Security Administration and other dedicated organizations, we are committed to supplying the public with the tools and education necessary for seniors to remain vigilant and shield themselves from these crimes. I'm grateful to my bipartisan colleagues for fighting alongside me to combat fraud and ensure aging Americans have the resources they need to protect themselves from these scammers and age with dignity," said Scott.

"Florida is proud to be known as both the Sunshine State and a 'silver state,' with nearly 5 million seniors calling it home. Unfortunately, scammers often target older Americans through fraudulent schemes that cost victims billions each year. National Slam the Scam Day is an important reminder that awareness and education are our strongest tools to stop these criminals. We must remain vigilant and work to ensure seniors have the information and resources they need to protect themselves," said Moody.

"Too often, scammers prey on seniors by posing as government officials, particularly with the Social Security Administration, causing irreparable harm. I'm pleased to join my colleagues in designating today as 'Slam the Scam' day," said Rounds.

"'National Slam the Scam Day' provides a great opportunity for federal, state, and local officials to raise awareness about common financial scams and deliver a clear message to Americans: hang up and tell someone. Public awareness is key to stopping these scams from the start. Let's work together to put nefarious scammers out of business once and for all," said Collins.

"This resolution shines a light on the pervasive scams plaguing Americans-and disproportionally affecting older individuals. Scammers are savvy and ruthless, causing chaos and stealing people's hard-earned savings. The main weapon against scams is awareness and caution, so we are introducing this resolution to highlight the need for increased education to prevent more people from having their lives upended. I will never stop fighting to protect Americans from these fraudulent, deleterious scams," said Blumenthal.

Read the full resolution here.