Stop Scams Before They Happen: Fixing How the Government Fights Scams

On March 25, 2026, Seto J. Bagdoyan, Director of Forensic Audits and Investigative Service at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, delivered testimony before the Joint Economic Committee, U.S. Congress. This testimony examines federal efforts to combat scams and highlights the need for a coordinated, government-wide strategy. Scams are a growing and evolving threat affecting consumers through a variety of methods, yet federal efforts to address them remain fragmented across at least 13 agencies. While these agencies conduct activities to prevent, detect, and respond to scams, they largely operate independently and lack a unified strategic framework. The statement is primarily based on GAO's April 2025 report on federal efforts to counter scams (GAO-25-107088). In that work, GAO analyzed agency data, reviewed prior reports, and interviewed officials from multiple federal agencies involved in scam prevention and enforcement. GAO previously recommended that the Federal Bureau of Investigation lead the development of a government-wide strategy in collaboration with other agencies to better coordinate anti-scam efforts. Additional recommendations included establishing a common definition of scams, improving data collection, reporting complaint estimates, and developing a single government-wide estimate of affected consumers. While some agencies have taken steps to address these recommendations, challenges remain due to differing authorities and responsibilities. This testimony underscores the importance of improved coordination, consistent data practices, and a unified federal approach to more effectively protect consumers from scams.