Every year, Americans lose an estimated $119 billion to scams. That’s not a typo — it’s a staggering transfer of wealth from hardworking families to criminal networks.

In 2024 alone, the FBI received reports of $16.6 billion in losses. But experts say that’s only a fraction of the real damage, because most scams go unreported. Behind every dollar is a retiree who lost their life savings, a small business owner forced to close, a veteran targeted for their benefits, or a young adult tricked into a fake investment scheme.

This is not just an online nuisance. It is organized financial crime happening at a massive scale.

We are calling on the United States Congress to significantly increase funding for the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and federal anti-fraud enforcement efforts. Law enforcement agencies need modern tools, trained personnel, and international coordination resources to dismantle sophisticated scam operations.

At the same time, victims need real support. Congress should establish a national scam victim recovery and assistance fund to help families who have been financially devastated by criminal fraud. Americans who did nothing wrong should not be left alone to absorb catastrophic losses.

This is not a partisan issue. Scam victims come from every state, every political background, and every income level. Protecting Americans from financial predators should unite lawmakers across party lines.

We urge Congress to treat large-scale scam activity as the national financial emergency it is — and act now to fund enforcement, strengthen accountability, and support victims.

Americans deserve protection. Sign this petition to demand action.