Summary#
This Senate resolution names March 5, 2026, as "National Slam the Scam Day" to raise awareness of scams, especially government imposter scams, and to encourage education and prevention. The main change is symbolic: it recognizes the problem and urges public education and reporting. The resolution does not set out new laws, taxes, or specific funding.
- Main change: Declares a national awareness day and encourages actions to prevent and report government imposter scams.
- Focus: Calls attention to scams that impersonate government agencies (by mail, phone, text, email, social media, or websites).
- Encourages: Law enforcement, consumer groups, phone companies, aging services, and banks to play roles in prevention and education.
- Asks the public: To ignore false solicitations, share information, and report scams to agencies such as the Social Security Office of Inspector General, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, or the Federal Trade Commission.
- Acknowledges data: The resolution cites reported large fraud losses and the disproportionate impact on older adults.
What it means for you#
- General public: March 5, 2026, will be promoted as a day for scam awareness. You may see outreach, media messages, or events encouraging you to watch for government imposter scams.
- Older adults and caregivers: The resolution highlights older adults as a group that has been hit hard by some scams; outreach may target them and their families.
- Victims of scams: The resolution encourages reporting scams to the named agencies. It also recognizes organizations that help victims.
- Consumer protection groups, law enforcement, area agencies on aging, phone companies, and financial institutions: The resolution asks these groups to continue or expand prevention and education efforts. It does not require them to take specific actions.
- Government agencies: The resolution recognizes agencies that are impersonated and lists inspectors general and the FTC as reporting points, but it does not create new duties or funding for these agencies.
Expenses#
No publicly available information.
- The text does not authorize new spending or provide a budget.
- Because it is an awareness resolution, any outreach or events would likely be paid for from existing budgets of government agencies or participating organizations. This could mean small costs for public education materials, staff time, or media outreach.
- If local groups or agencies choose to run extra campaigns, they may incur additional costs. The resolution does not specify who would pay for such efforts.
Proponents' View#
- The bill appears intended to raise public awareness about how common and costly scams are, especially government imposter scams.
- A possible argument for the bill is that a national awareness day can help reach more people, encourage reporting, and reduce losses by informing people what to watch for.
- It could be seen as supporting coordination among law enforcement, consumer groups, phone companies, aging services, and financial institutions.
- The resolution highlights data on large fraud losses and rising severe losses among older adults, which supporters may use to justify increased public education.
Opponents' View#
- One concern is that the resolution is symbolic and does not require any new actions, funding, or measurable outcomes.
- The bill does not explain who will coordinate the awareness work or how success would be measured.
- It may duplicate existing public education campaigns without adding clear new tools or resources.
- It is unclear whether naming a day will materially reduce scams or reach the people most at risk.