Among the most common scams, it said, are those in which federal agencies or even actual individual federal employees are impersonated. Image: PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe GAO has called for better coordination among federal agencies of efforts to counter scams against the public, saying that while there is some cooperation it is hampered by the lack of a government-wide strategy.
A report said that 13 agencies have roles in preventing and responding to scams, but existing strategies “did not apply across agencies” and “each agency has its own mandate and authority, with each largely pursuing independent activities related to countering scams.”
One area where GAO did find coordination arose from the 2022 Stop Senior Scams Act, which required creation of an interagency advisory group on scams against older persons. That group so far has produced materials such as information on how to better reach people with messages that help them spot and avoid fraud; training on scam prevention; and a compilation of laws that can help block a scammer’s access to an individual’s funds.
GAO said that some cross-cutting strategies exist—in areas such as illicit financing, cyber-enabled fraud, unfair and deceptive acts or practices, and transnational organized crime—but none “functions as a single, comprehensive, government-wide strategy to counter scams nor were any of them intended to.”
Also, each collects its own data on the numbers of scam complaints it receives, so “no government-wide estimate of the total number of scams and dollar losses exists.” And while some provide education and other resources for consumers, “they do not measure the effectiveness of their education efforts on the consumers that receive them,” GAO said.
Among the most common scams, it said, are those in which federal agencies or even actual individual federal employees are impersonated—which other reports have said most commonly involve impersonations of the SSA, IRS and DHS. Scammers also impersonate tech support personnel and family members in crisis, while other common scams involve investments, supposed inheritances or winnings, and more.
GAO made more than a dozen recommendations including to develop a government-wide strategy to counter scams, a national scam estimate, a common definition of scams, and evaluate the outcomes of consumer education efforts.
Deferred Resignation Periods about to End for Many; Overall 12% Drop
Retirement Surge Likely as Deferred Resignation Periods End
Senate Rejects Bills to Defer Shutdown; Familiar Process Lies Just Ahead
Senate Bill Would Override Trump Orders against Unions
Report Describes Impact of Shutdown on Employees, Agencies
TSP Adds Detail to Upcoming Roth Conversion Feature
See also,
How to Handle Taxes Owed on TSP Roth Conversions? Use a Ladder
The Best Ages for Federal Employees to Retire
Best States to Retire for Federal Retirees: 2025
