(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Congresman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) today joined Rep. Harley Rouda (CA-48) and 89 bipartisan Members of Congress in sending a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) urging action to protect Americans from COVID-19 scams.

“Millions of Americans, particularly senior citizens, are being targeted by fraudulent COVID-19 scams," said Rouda. "The bipartisan TRACED Act, which seeks to end robocalls, includes enforcement mechanisms to protect Americans. While the FCC and DOJ have taken steps to make citizens aware of COVID-19 scams, they must immediately utilize their enforcement powers to protect the safety, security, health, and welfare of the Americans they serve."

It has been reported that the FCC has received numerous reports of coronavirus-related robocall scams including: warnings of national quarantine orders or martial law; offers of free test kits, targeting individuals with preexisting conditions; messages purporting to be from the World Health Organization (WHO) or charities asking for money; HVAC cleaning or upgrades to protect against the virus; promotions of various bogus products, treatments, and cures; and asking for information to confirm a check from the government.

The bipartisan Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrent (TRACED) Act, which includes the Ending One-Ring Scams Act of 2019 co-led by Rep. Rouda, was signed into law last year and includes provisions that provide both the FCC and DOJ with enhanced authority and direction to take critical steps to protect the public by addressing a wide range of robocalls. This letter urges both agencies to take all necessary actions to safeguard and protect Americans from these scams.

A copy of the letter is available here.

###