Looking for something that Republicans and Democrats can agree on and get done in Washington, D.C., before the midterms?

Look no further than scams and cyber fraud directed at so many in society.

Consider these headlines (with brief excerpts from each article) from the past few months:

CNBC: House lawmakers approved a bipartisan bill to protect older adults from financial fraud. Here's what to know — “Lawmakers in Congress have taken a bipartisan step toward better protecting vulnerable adults from financial fraud.

“In a 414-2 vote, the House last week passed the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act of 2025, H.R. 2478. The bill would allow open-end funds — mutual funds, most exchange-traded funds — and their transfer agents to pause redemption requests from older adults or those with disabilities if financial exploitation is suspected. Transfer agents maintain shareholder records and process transactions.”

PBS.org: Older Americans face financial fraud. Here's what experts think about a new bill targeting scams — “A new bipartisan bill making its way through Congress aims to protect seniors and other vulnerable people from scams by allowing some financial institutions the ability to pause transaction requests while they investigate potential fraud.

“The Financial Exploitation Prevention Act would give open-end investment companies, including mutual funds, the ability to pause redemption requests from people 65 and older or people with disabilities when the institution believes financial fraud or exploitation is at play.”

Kim.Senate.gov: Senators Kim, Collins, Gillibrand, and McCormick Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Seniors from Scams —

“The Senior Security Act would establish the Senior Investor Taskforce at the SEC to: 

• "Identify challenges that senior investors encounter, including problems associated with financial exploitation and cognitive decline; 
• Identify areas in which senior investors would benefit from changes at the Commission or the rules of self-regulatory organizations; 
• Coordinate, as appropriate, with other offices within the Commission and other taskforces that may be established within the Commission, self-regulatory organizations, and the Elder Justice Coordinating Council;  
• Consult, as appropriate, with state securities and law enforcement authorities, state insurance regulators, and other federal agencies; 
• And submit a required biennial report to Congress that includes: 
  
  • Summary of recent trends and innovations that have impacted the investment landscape for senior investors; 
  • Summary of initiatives that have concentrated on senior investors and industry practices related to senior investors; 
  • Key observations, best practices, and areas needing improvement, involving senior investors identified during examinations, enforcement actions, and investor education outreach; 
  • Summary of the most serious issues encountered by senior investors, including issues involving financial products and services; and 
  • Recommendations for such changes to the rules or guidance of the Commission and self-regulatory organizations and such legislative actions to resolve problems encountered by senior investors."

CNBC: AI and elderly scams: Sens. Scott & Gillibrand on the new frontier of senior fraud

REAL-LIFE EXAMPLES

Just last week I received this text message, which is similar to texts I am receiving on a regular basis: “Dan — your home warranty has been flagged for review. Please call [number redacted] as soon as possible for immediate attention to this matter. This is your final notice before your [city] home warranty file is closed. Home Warranty Dept.”

What is interesting (and different) is that these are now going by text message to cellphones and not just email account spam.

Here’s one more example of legislation at the state level: Illinois bill targeting senior fraud and abuse heads to Gov. JB Pritzker — “A bill that would create new guardrails against financial fraud and physical abuse of senior citizens is heading to Gov. JB Pritzker.

“State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, Sen. Erica Harriss, R-Glen Carbon and Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, were among sponsors of the bill. Stuart was lead sponsor in the House.

“Essentially what we’re doing here is establishing two steps to report potential fraud and abuse for financial employees: one route for them to protect financial assets and another to confirm the well-being of their client,” said Stuart. “Allowing a more comprehensive investigation of potential fraud and physical abuse will make sure accounts are protected, and more importantly that clients are safe.”

“This legislation was developed with the Illinois Department on Aging, which will develop a new web portal to report suspected financial abuse as part of this measure. While this legislation was designed with seniors in mind, these extra precautions will apply to all suspicious and potentially fraudulent transactions.”

For a more detailed look at the fraud and scam threats and solutions, watch this longer Senate hearing entitled “Rick Scott leads Senate Aging Committee Hearing On 'Stopping The Surge Of International Scams'”

FINAL THOUGHTS

This blog has offered numerous posts offering more specific guidance for seniors, similar to those offered at the Identity Theft Resource Center.

Here are a few of those articles:

• Cybersecurity’s New Business Case: Fraud
• Cyber Awareness Month: Protecting Your Child in the Digital Age
• Cybersecurity, Deepfakes and the Human Risk of AI Fraud

Also see the problems and solutions described in this video from AARP Real Possibilities.