House Passes GUARD Act to Combat Scammers Targeted Seniors

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2978, the Guarding Unprotected Aging Retirees from Deception (GUARD) Act, introduced by Republican Study Committee (RSC) National Security Task Force Chairman Zach Nunn (IA-03).

Criminals are increasingly exploiting technology to perpetuate sophisticated financial scams and target vulnerable and elderly Americans. One particularly damaging scheme known as “pig butchering” involves scammers gradually gaining a victim’s trust and convincing them to invest increasing amounts of money, often through cryptocurrency, into a seemingly legitimate investment before disappearing with the victim’s funds.

The GUARD Act will help combat these fraudsters by allowing state, local, and Tribal law enforcement to use eligible federal grant funding to investigate elder financial fraud, pig butchering, and other financial scams targeting retirees. These funds could support specialized personnel and training, investigative technology, data collection, and coordination with financial institutions. The bill will also strengthen coordination between federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement and support the use of blockchain tracing tools to track illicit financial transactions.

Here’s what RSC Members had to say about protecting vulnerable Americans from online scams:

"Iowa retirees spent a lifetime building their savings, and scammers are using increasingly sophisticated technology to steal it out from under them," said RSC National Security Task Force Chair Zach Nunn (IA-03). "The GUARD Act came directly from an Iowa sheriff's deputy who told me officers were watching criminals steal the life savings of hardworking Iowans but lacked the tools to track them down and recover the money. Today, the House voted to give state and local law enforcement the resources they need to pursue fraudsters, recover stolen funds, and deliver justice for victims. I urge the Senate to take it up without delay and get these protections to the Iowans who need them."

"Texans shouldn't lose their retirement to scammers hiding behind a computer screen. These criminals are using every trick in the book, fake investment schemes, cryptocurrency scams, and phony phone calls, to drain the savings that our seniors spent a lifetime building. Thanks to Congressman Nunn's leadership, the GUARD Act will give law enforcement the tools they need to go after these criminals and protect our seniors," said RSC Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11).

“Older Americans should not have to worry about losing their life savings to criminals running sophisticated financial scams. The GUARD Act gives law enforcement better tools to go after these fraudsters and helps protect retirees from schemes that are becoming more advanced every year. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort,” said Rep. Troy Downing (MT-02). 

“Scammers are targeting seniors to steal their hard-earned savings at an alarming rate. We need to make sure law enforcement has the tools they need to go after these criminals. I was proud to cosponsor the GUARD Act, and I’m glad to see it pass the House,” said Rep. Tim Moore (NC-14). 

“In 2024, reported fraud losses in North Dakota reached $14.4 million, with 5,425 fraud complaints filed—many by vulnerable seniors. This statistic is unfortunately only worsening as financial scams become more sophisticated and common with the use of AI. The GUARD Act, led by my good friend Rep. Pfluger, will give our law enforcement officers more flexibility to investigate and solve these crimes. I’m proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation to help protect North Dakota families and their hard-earned savings,” said Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL).

“Scammers are stealing the savings our seniors spent a lifetime building. As chairman of the STOP Scams Caucus, I cosponsored the GUARD Act to give law enforcement more tools to track these criminals and hold them accountable. Americans deserve to keep what they’ve earned,” said Rep. Jefferson Shreve (IN-06).

“Foreign scam syndicates are targeting hardworking Americans and stealing their hard-earned savings. The GUARD Act gives law enforcement the tools needed to combat these criminals and protect our seniors. I am proud to have cosponsored this important legislation and thank Congressman Nunn for his leadership,” said Rep. Roger Williams (TX-25).

"Our seniors should never have to fear that a single scam could steal the savings they spent a lifetime building. As a former law enforcement officer, I know firsthand how important it is for local law enforcement to have the tools necessary to track down bad actors and bring them to justice. We must stand with our seniors, support our law enforcement officers, and make clear that those who prey on vulnerable Americans will be held accountable,”said Rep. Troy Nehls (TX-22).