November 7, 2025
Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mrs. Houchin, Ms. Craig, Mrs. Dingell, Ms. Norton, Mr. Whitesides, Ms. McClellan, Mr. Thompson of California, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, and Mr. Subramanyam) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To direct the Federal Trade Commission, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, to convene an interagency task force for the purpose of addressing scams, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act
.
Sec. 2. Task force
(a) Establishment
The Federal Trade Commission, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, shall convene an interagency task force for the purpose of addressing scams.
(b) Composition
The task force convened under subsection (a) shall include representatives from each of the following:
(1)
The Department of Homeland Security, including the United States Secret Service.
(2)
The Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(3)
The Department of State.
(4)
The Department of the Treasury.
(5)
The Department of Veterans Affairs.
(6)
The Federal Communications Commission.
(7)
The Federal Trade Commission.
(8)
The Securities and Exchange Commission.
(9)
The Social Security Administration.
(10)
The United States Postal Service.
(c) Duties
(1) In general
The task force convened under subsection (a) shall develop and implement a national strategy to address scams that includes—
(A)
utilization of—
(i)
the Consumer Sentinel Network of the Federal Trade Commission; and
(ii)
the Internet Crime Complaint Center of the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
(B)
public education;
(C)
coordination with industry entities, including providers of online platforms;
(D)
enforcement actions using existing authorities, including authorities with respect to money laundering, human trafficking, and fraud;
(E)
coordination with international partners; and
(F)
strategies to reduce the systemic risk of financial losses as a result of scams and improve recovery resources for victims of scams.
(2) Report
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the task force convened under subsection (a) shall submit to Congress, and make available to the public, a report on the actions taken by the task force pursuant to paragraph (1).
(d) Consultation
In carrying out the duties specified in subsection (c), the task force convened under subsection (a) shall consult with representatives of the following:
(1)
Consumer advocacy organizations that address fraud and scams.
(2)
Industry, including the following industry sectors:
(A)
Banking.
(B)
Consumer-facing generative artificial intelligence applications.
(C)
Cryptocurrency.
(D)
Dating applications.
(E)
Peer-to-peer payment platforms.
(F)
Search engines.
(G)
Social media.
(H)
Communications equipment manufacturers.
(I)
Communications providers.
(3)
State attorneys general.
(4)
State securities commissions (including State agencies and offices that perform similar functions).
(5)
Local law enforcement entities.
(e) Termination
The task force convened under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.