Bill · H.R. 7548· House(119-HR-7548)
SCAM Act
- Introduced
- 2/12/2026
- Last activity
- 2/12/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- Daniel Meuser
- Cosponsors
- - 29 - 26
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the Safeguarding Consumers from Advertising Misconduct Act or the SCAM Act, makes it unlawful for online platforms to display fraudulent or deceptive commercial advertisements if they accepted payment for the ads and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent them. It requires online platforms that accept paid ads to verify the identity of advertisers, implement active impersonation detection programs, and use automated and manual detection systems. Platforms must also provide users with a clear reporting tool and investigate reported ads within 72 hours. If a platform finds an ad violates the law, it must remove it within 24 hours. The bill allows the Federal Trade Commission, State attorneys general, and injured individuals to bring civil actions against violators. Additionally, Section 230(c)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934 will not apply to any violations of this section.
Yes· 3 of 9
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+9
The bill protects older adults who are noted in the findings to suffer significant financial losses from digital scams.
Would retired people be better off under this?+9
The bill mitigates the specific financial risks identified as being highly prevalent among older populations.
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+8
The bill mandates strict advertiser identity verification and active detection systems to prevent fraudulent digital advertisements.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Identity Verification for Advertisers: Under Section 3(b)(1)(A), online platforms must verify the legal name, physical location, and government-issued identification or business documentation of advertisers before placing paid ads, and take measures to prevent the use of false or stolen identities. This is positive because it helps stop scammers from hiding behind fake accounts and targeting everyday people.
-
Clear Reporting Tools and Fast Investigations: Under Section 3(b)(1)(D) and Section 3(b)(2), platforms must give users a clear tool to report suspicious ads and must investigate those reports within 72 hours. This is positive because it gives people a direct way to fight back and forces companies to act quickly to remove dangerous scams.
-
Right to Sue Scammers and Bad Platforms: Under Section 3(f), individuals who have been injured by a violation can bring a civil action in a federal district court to seek actual damages, restitution, and legal relief. This is positive because it allows everyday folks to hold wrongdoers accountable in court, with courts able to triple the damages if the violation was done willfully or knowingly.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Burdens on Legitimate Businesses and Advertisers: Under Section 3(b)(1)(A), anyone wanting to place a paid advertisement must submit detailed personal or business identification, current government-issued identification, and contact information. This might be considered a burden because legitimate small businesses, creators, and individuals will have to jump through extra bureaucratic hoops and share sensitive personal information just to run a simple ad online.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Retirees+9Good For Seniors+9Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For Young Adults+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+5Improves Government Transparency+4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+8
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+3
- 10/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/1/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/28/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/27/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 8/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/18/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/8/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/19/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/15/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/13/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/12/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 4/27/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 4/16/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/14/2026
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 4/13/2026
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- 3/26/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/25/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/4/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/12/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Gabe AmoDemocrat · Rhode Island
Andy BarrRepublican · Kentucky
Jack BergmanRepublican · Michigan
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
J. CorreaDemocrat · California
Salud CarbajalDemocrat · California
Angie CraigDemocrat · Minnesota
Byron DonaldsRepublican · Florida
Donald DavisDemocrat · North Carolina
Christopher DeluzioDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Monica De La CruzRepublican · Texas
Chuck EdwardsRepublican · North Carolina
Gabe EvansRepublican · Colorado
Lois FrankelDemocrat · Florida
Mike FloodRepublican · Nebraska
Valerie FousheeDemocrat · North Carolina
Laura FriedmanDemocrat · California
Bill HuizengaRepublican · Michigan
Jahana HayesDemocrat · Connecticut
Pat HarriganRepublican · North Carolina
Julie JohnsonDemocrat · Texas
Young KimRepublican · California
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia
Zoe LofgrenDemocrat · California
Julia LetlowRepublican · Louisiana
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Tracey MannRepublican · Kansas
John MoolenaarRepublican · Michigan
Tim MooreRepublican · North Carolina
Sarah McBrideDemocrat · Delaware
Zachary NunnRepublican · Iowa
Scott PetersDemocrat · California
Brittany PettersenDemocrat · Colorado
Jimmy PatronisRepublican · Florida
John RoseRepublican · Tennessee
Emily RandallDemocrat · Washington
Maria SalazarRepublican · Florida
Pete SessionsRepublican · Texas
Adam SmithDemocrat · Washington
Marlin StutzmanRepublican · Indiana
Thomas SuozziDemocrat · New York
Bryan SteilRepublican · Wisconsin
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
Derek SchmidtRepublican · Kansas
Jefferson ShreveRepublican · Indiana
Suhas SubramanyamDemocrat · Virginia
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada
William TimmonsRepublican · South Carolina
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Jefferson Van DrewRepublican · New Jersey
Gabe VasquezDemocrat · New Mexico
Robert WittmanRepublican · Virginia
Roger WilliamsRepublican · Texas
George WhitesidesDemocrat · California