minutes. the hearing will come to order. we convene today to discuss a topic of the utmost importance to the aging community. fighting frauds and scams targeting seniors. while these predatory schemes have existed for decades. we know the pandemic is only exacerbated this issue. as fraudsters preyed on a fear and uncertainty surrounding the virus. federal agencies state governments and advocates all warn of con artists who will do among the following. they ll pose as federal and state agencies to steal benefits. they will falsely falsify i should say romantic relationship to gain a seniors trust. by way of a third example, petal fake health insurance in carers for the virus. scammers are also using new payment methods making losses difficult to trace. the federal trade commission reports that gift cards are the main payment method used by scammers to request and steal money from older adults. in 2021, 27% of adults 16 older who lost money paid a scam or using a gift card
c-span s tv networks and c-span, radio plus a variety of compelling podcasts. c-span i was available at the apple store and google play. download it for free today. c-span now, your front row seat to washington. anytime, anywhere. next, a hearing on scams are getting senior citizens. senate lawmakers consider warning signs, the impact of fraud in the victims mental health, and ways to prevent fraud. this is an hour and 20 minutes. the hearing will come to order. the hearing will come to order. we convene today to discuss a topic of the utmost importance to the aging committee. voting fraud and scam targeting seniors. these predatory schemes have existed for decades. we know that the pandemic has only exacerbated this issue. as fraudsters preyed on fear and uncertainty surrounding the virus, federal agencies, state governments, and advocates all warned of counters who will do the following. they oppose federal and state agencies to steal benefits. they will falsify romantic re