Scams and Fraud - A Large Price to Pay

Statement

You may have heard this one before - a potential buyer hoping to purchase something you're selling online sends you a check for the amount owed - only the check is for too much.

Then they request you return the difference in the form of a money order or by mailing the amount back to their return address in cash.

By the time you attempt to cash the original check, it's too late. Not only is the check fake, but you've now lost the money you've "returned" to the buyer, and potentially the item you've intended to sell.

Don't be fooled - scammers are continuously looking for ways to take advantage of you and all Americans using seemingly innocuous techniques. The best way to stay protected is to remain informed about different schemes and scams - and what to do about them.

If you intend to do business on Craigslist or another e-commerce website, take a moment to research some of the common fraud practices they've reported. Because sometimes there can be fake merchandise, tickets, or offers floating around, you may want to meet in a public space to complete the transaction.

Are you hoping to sell items at a garage sale or flea market? Remember personal checks can sometimes be falsified even when they are presented with a photo ID. Consider cash only sales, be wary of larger bills, and learn how to spot what's counterfeit and what's not. The Secret Service's website gives helpful advice and tools on how what to look for to prevent fraud.

While scams and fraud are nothing new, thieves' methods are always evolving with the goal of remaining undetected to successfully steal what's rightfully yours. As your voice and vote in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as founder of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force to Combat Identity Theft and Fraud, I take these threats seriously.

I am constantly speaking with and listening to folks at home in the Third Congressional District about what scams, schemes and fraudulent practices are appearing in our communities. My colleague, and task force co-chair Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema, and I are continuing to secure support from other members of Congress to further our effort for this important cause. The task force currently has over 20 members and interest is growing.

In Congress, I've been working to advance commonsense legislation to protect Americans from scammers, thieves and fraudsters. I recently introduced the Justice for Victims of IRS Scams and Identity Theft Act, bipartisan legislation requiring the Department of Justice to produce a plan to expedite the review of cases referred to them related to identity theft or IRS fraud. It also requires the Department of Justice to report to Congress about current scams and fraud, and their actions to address them.

Also, included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017 was an amendment I introduced to protect the personally identifiable information of members of the Armed Forces and their families. It was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 277 - 147. I'm encouraged my amendment was included, a necessary step to protect our service members and their families, who have sacrificed so much in defense of our nation.

Ultimately, scam and fraud crimes are incredibly diverse, widespread and personal. Whether young or old, a small business owner, or a student, fraud and scams stand to affect you. While there is no quick fix to address these threats to your personal information and finances, I remain committed to working on this issue and fighting for meaningful solutions.

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