WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), who serve as the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, together with Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), the chairman and ranking member of the Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security Subcommittee, today sent a letter to the acting chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The letter urges the FTC to remain vigilant in its efforts to protect Americans from fraud and scams that could arise in the wake of hurricanes Harvey and Irma. 

Excerpt from the letter to the FTC:

“In recent days, we have witnessed the national outpouring of support and aid to the victims of hurricanes Harvey and Irma and have seen once again that natural disasters bring out the best in Americans.  Congress also recently devoted billions of dollars to assist in rebuilding efforts and is likely to provide more in the future.  Unfortunately, major natural disasters also present an opportunity for fraudsters and scam artists to prey on the compassion and goodwill of fellow citizens as well as hurricane victims when they are at their most vulnerable.”  

The full letter to the FTC may be viewed here. 

The Commerce Committee and its Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security have jurisdiction over consumer protection, as well as fraud and scams.