Reps. McBride, Lawler Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Americans from Foreign Scammers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Sarah McBride (D-Del.) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) introduced the bipartisan Stop Scamming Americans Act, legislation to better equip U.S. diplomats to confront foreign governments that are complicit in operating scam centers. The bill is an important step toward protecting Delawareans and Americans across the country, including some of the most vulnerable populations, from predatory and fraudulent schemes originating overseas.

"One of the most universal experiences today is the influx of scam calls, texts, and emails that come directly to our devices, many of them from foreign countries seeking to rip off Delawareans and Americans across the country," said Rep. McBride. "I am proud to join Representative Lawler in introducing this critical bipartisan legislation that will bring accountability to foreign governments that enable efforts to scam Americans, especially seniors, out of their personal information and hard-earned money."

Specifically, the legislation authorizes training for chiefs of mission, deputy chiefs of mission, and Foreign Service officers on foreign scam syndicates and scam centers-sophisticated transnational criminal organizations that target Americans and steal sensitive personal information, including identities and financial data.

"Online scammers have become a growing threat to Americans and are allowed to operate because of corruption, permissiveness, or even direct government involvement. Our diplomats need the tools and training to recognize these threats and work with our partners to stop them. This provision ensures our Foreign Service officers are better prepared to identify, prevent, and respond to online scam activity that targets Americans and holds those responsible accountable," said Rep. Lawler.

According to a 2023 Federal Trade Commission report, Delawareans lost more than $22.3 million to scams. Nationally, Americans are estimated to lose approximately $119 billion annually to online scams. The Stop Scamming Americans Act would help address this growing threat by ensuring U.S. diplomats have the tools, resources, and knowledge needed to identify and confront scam operations targeting Americans.

The Stop Scamming Americans Act builds on Rep. McBride's previous efforts to protect Delawareans from scammers. In 2025, she introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Ending Scam Credit Repair Act (ESCRA), legislation designed to protect consumers by cracking down on fraudulent practices in the credit repair industry. ESCRA was Rep. McBride's first bill she introduced in Congress and the first bill introduced by any freshman House Democrat in the 119th Congress. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate earlier this year.

The full text of the Stop Scamming Americans Act can be found here.

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