DOVER – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan hosted a discussion in Dover to spread awareness about scams and the steps that Granite Staters can take to protect themselves, as well as to discuss public-private partnerships and solutions to this growing problem. The discussion included members of federal, state, and local law enforcement, representatives from AARP and First Seacoast Bank, and a Granite Stater who was the victim of a scam.
“Online scammers are more than just a nuisance – they are a criminal menace that have stolen billions from Americans,” said Senator Hassan. “Bank accounts have been emptied, life savings stolen, and lives have been shattered by these criminals who particularly prey on seniors, young people, and veterans. I am grateful to work alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, community leaders, and financial institutions to develop comprehensive solutions that protect Granite Staters targeted by online criminals. It’s long past time for our country to treat this threat with the urgency it deserves.”
The discussion comes as scam losses worldwide crossed $1 trillion last year, eclipsing the global drug trade as an illicit industry. As Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee, Senator Hassan recently announced a major effort to protect people from financial scams, which will include working with the public and private sector to take on scams in a comprehensive manner. She recently pushed Elon Musk and SpaceX to crack down on transnational criminal groups allegedly using Starlink satellite internet service as they scam Americans. Earlier this year, Senator Hassan held a forum in Hampton to raise awareness on cryptocurrency scams affecting Granite Staters.
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