ReportScams.gov Act

Centralized Information and Reporting: The establishment of reportscams.gov provides a single, secure place for the public to access education on how to avoid scams, report fraudulent activity, and find assistance for victims (Section 3(d)).

Victim Support Resources: The bill requires the website to provide resources for those who have been scammed, including steps to safeguard assets, how to recoup losses, and contact information for law enforcement and mental health crisis intervention (Section 3(d)(2)(D)).

Increased Public Awareness: The act mandates a public awareness campaign to inform people about the website and requires the site to provide updated information on recent scam trends every 90 days (Section 3(d)(2)(A)(i) and Section 3(e)).

Improved Agency Coordination: By creating a Scams Steering Committee with members from agencies like the DOJ, FBI, and FTC, the bill aims to create a uniform government-wide definition of scams and a coordinated strategy to hold perpetrators accountable (Section 3(b) and Section 3(c)).

Verification of Government Contact: The website will provide verified contact information for agencies often impersonated by scammers, allowing the public to proactively verify the authenticity of suspicious claims (Section 3(d)(2)(B)(iii)).

Limited Scope of Direct Assistance: While the bill provides information and links to assistance, it does not explicitly mandate the provision of direct financial restitution to victims, only "assistance and guidance" (Section 3(c)(2)(G)).

Potential for Redacted Information: The annual report on scam data and trends may be redacted to remove sensitive or classified material, which could limit the amount of transparent information available to the public (Section 5(b)).