Combating Pandemic Scams Act of 2020
Summary
Report 116-591 of the 116th Congress, 2d Session, dated November 16, 2020, in which Mr. Pallone reports for the Committee on Energy and Commerce on H.R. 6435, the Combating Pandemic Scams Act of 2020. The bill would direct the Federal Trade Commission to develop and disseminate information to the public about scams related to COVID-19. A section-by-section passage says the FTC is to do so as expeditiously as possible in consultation with relevant agencies and to establish a comprehensive national database to track all instances of scams relating to COVID-19. The report states the bill makes no changes to existing law and reports favorably without amendment.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
- Issuer
- Congressional materials
- Document type
- Crpt Crpt 116Hrpt591 Crpt 116Hrpt591
- Case
- Crpt Crpt 116Hrpt591 Crpt 116Hrpt591
Cite this document
“Combating Pandemic Scams Act of 2020.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crpt-crpt-116hrpt591-crpt-116hrpt591/
, SHA-256 51a8fdcc5ddf06f1e3deec6b38f70ef9075cb8c81a4ad7d4e51a7c09883c4e86.Full text
116TH CONGRESS REPORT
" HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES !
2d Session 116–591
COMBATING PANDEMIC SCAMS ACT OF 2020
NOVEMBER 16, 2020.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
Mr. PALLONE, from the Committee on Energy and Commerce,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 6435]
The Committee on Energy and Commerce, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 6435) to direct the Federal Trade Commission to de-
velop and disseminate information to the public about scams re-
lated to COVID–19, and for other purposes, having considered the
same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and rec-
ommends that the bill do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
I. Purpose and Summary ............................................................................... 1
II. Background and Need for the Legislation ................................................ 2
III. Committee Hearings ................................................................................... 2
IV. Committee Consideration ........................................................................... 3
V. Committee Votes ......................................................................................... 3
VI. Oversight Findings ...................................................................................... 3
VII. New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 4
VIII. Federal Mandates Statement ..................................................................... 4
IX. Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives ....................... 4
X. Duplication of Federal Programs ............................................................... 4
XI. Committee Cost Estimate ........................................................................... 4
XII. Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff Benefits ............... 4
XIII. Advisory Committee Statement ................................................................. 4
XIV. Applicability to Legislative Branch ........................................................... 4
XV. Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation ......................................... 5
XVI. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported ........................ 5
I. PURPOSE AND SUMMARY
H.R. 6435, the ‘‘Combating Pandemic Scams Act of 2020’’, was in-
troduced by Representatives Earl L. ‘‘Buddy’’ Carter (R–GA), Rich-
ard Hudson (R–NC), Ann M. Kuster (D–NH), and Lisa Blunt Roch-
ester (D–DE). H.R. 6435 aims to protect Americans, especially sen-
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with REPORTS
ior citizens and people with infirmities and disabilities, from decep-
19–006
VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:30 Nov 28, 2020 Jkt 019006 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR591.XXX HR591
2
tive and fraudulent scams while the United States continues to
face the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic.
Specifically, H.R. 6435 directs the Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) to develop and disseminate information to the public about
scams related to COVID–19. H.R. 6435 also requires the FTC, in
consultation with the Attorney General and Secretary of Health
and Human Services, among other relevant agencies, to establish
a comprehensive national database to track all instances of scams
relating to COVID–19.
II. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
While the 21st century has provided countless Americans with
opportunities for economic and personal growth, technological ad-
vances have also expanded the ways for deceptive and malicious ac-
tors to target and scam U.S. citizens. Scammers have also been
known to exploit consumer fear and confusion during national
emergencies or other crises. During the COVID–19 pandemic, mali-
cious actors have repeatedly tried to steal stimulus checks,1 trick
senior citizens into buying fraudulent COVID–19 treatments and
vaccines,2 and dupe small businesses into fraudulent financial ar-
rangements during times of social distancing.3
Although the FTC has communicated instances of such scams,
the COVID–19 pandemic has intensified the need to improve ef-
forts to disseminate information of targeted scams in a timely man-
ner. The FTC must proactively and adequately notify Americans,
especially vulnerable populations outlined in the legislation, of ma-
licious scamming efforts, how to ward against them, and how to re-
port them to the appropriate agency.
H.R. 6435 aims to provide Americans with such information on
these efforts, including tools to pick up on warning signs, by dis-
seminating information and making that information publicly
available to all Americans. Through the various hearings and meet-
ings with stakeholders on this issue, it is clear that a comprehen-
sive database of information created by H.R. 6435 will protect
Americans from malicious scammers.
III. COMMITTEE HEARINGS
For the purposes of section 103(i) of H. Res. 6 of the 116th Con-
gress, the following hearings were used to develop or consider H.R.
6435:
The Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce held
an oversight hearing on May 8, 2019. The hearing was entitled,
‘‘Oversight of the Federal Trade Commission: Strengthening Pro-
tections for Americans’’ Privacy and Data Security.’’ The Sub-
committee received testimony from the following witnesses:
• The Honorable Joseph J. Simons, Chairman, Federal
Trade Commission
• The Honorable Noah Joshua Phillips, Commissioner, Fed-
eral Trade Commission
1 Federal Trade Commission, Coronavirus Stimulus Payment Scams: What You Need to Know
(Apr. 20, 2020) (www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/04/coronavirus-stimulus-payment-scams-what-
you-need-know).
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with REPORTS
2 Federal Trade Commission, Cracking Down on Fake COVID–19 Cures (July 31, 2020)
(www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/07/cracking-down-fake-covid-19-cures).
3 Federal Trade Commission, Fraudulent Funders = Big Woes for Small Businesses (June 10,
2020) (www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/06/fraudulent-funders-big-woes-small-businesses).
VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:30 Nov 28, 2020 Jkt 019006 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR591.XXX HR591
3
• The Honorable Rohit Chopra, Commissioner, Federal
Trade Commission
• The Honorable Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, Commissioner,
Federal Trade Commission
• The Honorable Christine S. Wilson, Commissioner, Federal
Trade Commission
The Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce held
an oversight hearing on July 9, 2020. The hearing was entitled,
‘‘Consumers Beware: Increased Risks During the COVID–19 Pan-
demic.’’ The Subcommittee received testimony from the following
witnesses:
• Kevin Anderson, Senior Deputy Attorney General, Director
Consumer Protection Division, North Carolina Department of
Justice
• Sally Greenberg, Executive Director, National Consumers
League
• Thomas Quaadman, Executive Vice President, Center for
Capital Markets Competitiveness, Chamber Technology En-
gagement Center Global Innovation Policy Center, U.S. Cham-
ber of Commerce
IV. COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
Representatives Carter (R–GA), Hudson, Kuster, and Blunt
Rochester introduced H.R. 6435 on April 3, 2020, and the bill was
referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H.R. 6435
was then referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection
and Commerce on April 4, 2020. The Subcommittee held oversight
hearings related to this bill prior and after the bill was introduced.
On September 9, 2020, H.R. 6435 was discharged from further
consideration by the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and
Commerce as it was called up for consideration by the full Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce. The full Committee met in vir-
tual open markup session on September 9, 2020, pursuant to no-
tice, to consider H.R. 6435 and thirty-seven other bills. No amend-
ments were offered during consideration of the bill. Upon conclu-
sion of consideration of the bill, the full Committee agreed to a mo-
tion on final passage offered by Mr. Pallone, Chairman of the com-
mittee, to order H.R. 6435 reported favorably to the House, without
amendment, by a voice vote, a quorum being present.
V. COMMITTEE VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representa-
tives requires the Committee to list each record vote on the motion
to report legislation and amendments thereto. The Committee ad-
vises that there were no record votes taken on H.R. 6435, including
the motion for final passage of the bill.
VI. OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause 2(b)(1) of rule
X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee’s
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with REPORTS
oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the de-
scriptive portion of the report.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:30 Nov 28, 2020 Jkt 019006 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR591.XXX HR591
4
VII. NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TAX
EXPENDITURES
Pursuant to 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Rep-
resentatives, the Committee adopts as its own the estimate of new
budget authority, entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or rev-
enues contained in the cost estimate prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
The Committee has requested but not received from the Director
of the Congressional Budget Office a statement as to whether this
bill contains any new budget authority, spending authority, credit
authority, or an increase or decrease in revenues or tax expendi-
tures.
VIII. FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal man-
dates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office
pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
IX. STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance
goal or objective of this legislation is to protect the public from
scams related to COVID–19 by developing and disseminating infor-
mation.
X. DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII, no provision of H.R. 6435
is known to be duplicative of another Federal program, including
any program that was included in a report to Congress pursuant
to section 21 of Public Law 111–139 or the most recent Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance.
XI. COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII, the Committee adopts as
its own the cost estimate prepared by the Director of the Congres-
sional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974.
XII. EARMARKS, LIMITED TAX BENEFITS, AND LIMITED TARIFF
BENEFITS
Pursuant to clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the Committee
finds that H.R. 6435 contains no earmarks, limited tax benefits, or
limited tariff benefits.
XIII. ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this legislation.
XIV. APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with REPORTS
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or
accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Con-
gressional Accountability Act.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:30 Nov 28, 2020 Jkt 019006 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR591.XXX HR591
5
XV. SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 designates that the short title may be cited as the
‘‘Combating Pandemic Scams Act of 2020’’.
Sec. 2. Information about scams related to COVID–19
Subsection (a) requires the FTC, as expeditiously as possible and
in consultation with relevant agencies, to develop and disseminate
information to the public about scams related to COVID–19. Sub-
section (b) requires the FTC, in consultation with relevant agen-
cies, to establish a comprehensive national database to track all in-
stances of scams relating to COVID–19.
XVI. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
There are no changes to existing law made by the bill H.R. 6435.
Æ
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with REPORTS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:30 Nov 28, 2020 Jkt 019006 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6611 E:\HR\OC\HR591.XXX HR591
File and source
- File
- CRPT_crpt-116hrpt591_crpt-116hrpt591.pdf
- Size
- 213,929 bytes
- SHA-256
- 51a8fdcc5ddf06f1e3deec6b38f70ef9075cb8c81a4ad7d4e51a7c09883c4e86
- Original
- www.govinfo.gov