Congressman Amo Educates Rhode Islanders on Senior Fraud Prevention
Amo hosted informative discussion on how seniors can protect themselves from financial fraud and scams
MIDDLETOWN, RI. – Today, Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01) convened a roundtable conversation at the Middletown Senior Center to educate Rhode Islanders about ways to protect themselves from financial fraud and scams that target seniors. The discussion featured law enforcement, federal and local consumer protection experts, and local community members discussing strategies to prevent senior fraud.
“With scams continuing to target seniors in our state, it’s important that we raise awareness and educate the public in order to prevent fraud,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “I thank today’s roundtable participants and attendees as well as the Federal Trade Commission for coming together to ensure Rhode Islanders have the resources and know-how to protect themselves and their loved ones from scams.”
Livestreamed video of the event can be viewed HERE
Participants of the roundtable included:
- Samuel Levine – Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, FTC (pre-recorded video)
- Alex Carnevale – Special Assistant Attorney General, Office of the RI Attorney General
- Catherine Taylor – State Director, AARP Rhode Island
- Peter Chabot – Captain, RI State Police
- Richard Ptaszek – Lieutenant, Financial Crimes Unit, RI State Police
- Erine Lewis – Head of Risk Management, People’s Credit Union of Rhode Island
- Arleen Kaull – Executive Director, Middletown Senior Center
BACKGROUND:
Between 2022-2023, Rhode Island was one of the top ten states across the nation to experience an increase in senior fraud.In 2023, senior fraud complaints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center increased by 14%. According to the FBI’s data, 274 victims in Rhode Island lost $7,377,688 to elder fraud. Monetary losses experienced by seniors totaled $3.4 billion. However, according to the FTC, “less than 3 percent of consumers who experienced fraud reported it to a government entity” — meaning that rates of senior fraud are likely significantly higher than reported. Experts estimate fraudulent actors stole between $7.1 billion and $61.5 billion from older adults in 2023.
Congressman Amo has been a champion on senior issues since being sworn in. On October 29, 2024, Amo sent a letter to the FTC Chair Lina M. Khan asking for assistance in addressing the increasing prevalence of fraud and scams in Rhode Island and across the country affecting seniors.
Additionally, on November 12, 2024, Amo voted for H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act to repeal penalties that robbed public service employees of their earned benefits.
On June 17, 2024, Amo welcomed Committee on Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John Larson to East Providence Senior Center to discuss the landmark Social Security 2100 Act (H.R.4583) which would protect and expand essential earned Social Security benefits for millions of Americans across the country.
On May 15, 2024, Congressman Amo spoke on the House floor to denounce Republican plans to eviscerate Social Security benefits for 257 million people, or 3 in 4 Americans.
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