Protecting Indian Tribes From Scams Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. PALLONE.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 1762, the Protecting Indian Tribes from Scams Act. The often-overlooked area in Federal fraud prevention efforts is scams targeting Indian Tribes and Tribal members. The scope and scale of scams affecting Indian Tribes have not been well documented, hindering efforts to prevent them.

This bipartisan bill, reintroduced this Congress by Representatives Mullin and O'Halleran, will help get the needed information about fraud and scams targeting Tribes and members of Tribes. This bill directs the FTC to consult with Indian Tribes about these scams and then issue a report to Congress that will be made public. It also requires the FTC to update its website to include information on these scams.

Mr. Speaker, as this pandemic continues, scammers are taking advantage of people's fear and uncertainty to steal people's money and commit fraud. American Indians are not exempt from these unfair and deceptive practices and may even be specifically targeted with certain kinds of scams. But there is not much information about it.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Representatives Mullin and O'Halleran for introducing this bill, an important step in helping prevent fraud and scams targeting Tribes and members of Tribes.
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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I also urge support for the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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