The Federal Trade Commission testified before a Senate subcommittee today about the aggressive steps the agency is taking to police against pandemic predators who are capitalizing on the COVID-19 crisis to defraud American consumers.
Testifying on behalf of the Commission, FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levine said the Commission has encountered disturbing trends and noted a surge in consumer complaints stemming from a broad range of deceptive COVID-related schemes. Since January 2020 and as of January 28, 2022, the FTC has received more than 292,000 reports associated with COVID-19 frauds, reflecting $674 million in fraud losses.
“The Commission will remain vigilant in protecting the public from harms that stem directly and indirectly from the COVID-19 pandemic. The FTC is committed to tackling emerging threats, adjusting our strategies wherever necessary, and working in close coordination with our law enforcement partners at the local, state, and federal level,” the testimony states.
The FTC is fighting back by taking law enforcement action to halt and deter deceptive COVID-related claims. The agency is deploying new tools thanks to the agency’s expanded authority under the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act of 2020. In the testimony, the Commission expressed its appreciation for additional funds provided to the FTC last year in the American Rescue Plan.
The FTC has pursued cases against more than a dozen COVID-19 predators, with more investigations…
