This resolution supports designating May 8, 2025, as "National Scam Survivor Day" to raise awareness, encourage prevention, and support victims of increasingly sophisticated fraud.
Bryan Steil
Representative
WI-1
This resolution supports designating May 8, 2025, as "National Scam Survivor Day" to raise public awareness about the growing threat of sophisticated scams. It acknowledges the billions lost annually to fraud targeting all age groups, including veterans and seniors. The bill calls for improved consumer education, better use of federal resources, and enhanced law enforcement efforts to combat these criminal operations. Ultimately, it seeks to support survivors and encourage collaboration to prevent future victimization.
Congress Backs 'National Scam Survivor Day' to Fight $12.5 Billion Fraud Crisis
This resolution officially supports designating May 8, 2025, as "National Scam Survivor Day." This isn't a new law that mandates spending or creates a new agency; it’s Congress recognizing a massive, growing problem and calling for better coordination to fight it. The core message is that fraud is out of control, costing Americans over $12.5 billion in 2024 alone—a $2.5 billion jump from the year before—and we need to stop treating victims like they did something wrong.
The $12.5 Billion Problem: Why We Need This Day
The resolution lays out the grim reality: Scams are no longer just Nigerian princes and email phishing. They’ve gone high-tech, hitting us where we live, work, and scroll. Social media scams now account for the most reported financial damage—about $1.9 billion—and scammers are increasingly leveraging AI to create deepfakes and convincing fake audio that can trick even savvy people. For the small business owner, this means watching out for sophisticated business scams like fake invoices or phony advertising offers that look completely legitimate.
Who’s Getting Hit Hardest
Scammers aren't picky, but the resolution highlights how they target specific groups. Seniors are still a major target, with a high percentage experiencing attempts, but the financial landscape is changing. Surprisingly, young adults are now losing more money overall than any other age group, often through fake job offers or investment schemes found online. Veterans are also disproportionately targeted, frequently by fraudsters pretending to be from the VA or healthcare providers, leading to hundreds of millions in losses. This recognition is key because it shifts the focus from individual mistake to widespread criminal targeting.
Fighting Stigma and Building a Defense
The resolution calls for three main actions: boosting consumer and business education, encouraging the use of existing federal resources (like the FTC) to check for scams, and improving federal law enforcement's ability to track and shut down these operations. By designating a "National Scam Survivor Day," the resolution aims to reduce the stigma that prevents victims from reporting what happened. When survivors feel comfortable sharing their stories, it not only helps others avoid the same fate but also provides crucial data for law enforcement. It’s a call for everyone—government, companies, and non-profits—to team up, support victims, and hold the scammers accountable.