Rep. Vasquez Helps Introduce Bill to Ban Scam Advertisements on Social Media
The SCAM Act would require social media companies to prevent fraudulent advertising on their platforms
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) co-sponsored the bipartisan, commonsense SCAM Act, a bill that would require social media companies to take action to prevent fraudulent and deceptive ads on their platforms. The bill would also strengthen accountability for those who perpetrate scams , giving the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state law enforcement agencies more support to enforce consumer protection laws and stop scams from happening.
“Too many Americans are falling for scam advertising on social media, getting ripped off by fraudsters and fake companies,” said Vasquez. “Social media companies should follow the same standards as every other advertiser and verify the authenticity of what they’re promoting. That’s why I strongly support this bill to regulate tech companies and give law enforcement the tools they need to go after scammers.”
Rep. Vasquez has worked to hold social media companies accountable for dangerous behavior on their sites that impacts our communities:
- Sent a letter to Big Tech CEOs at Meta, SnapChat, and Telegram demanding that they take action to curb illegal gun sales and cyber bullying on their platforms. This letter was sent after local law enforcement officers flagged illegal gun sales and bullying on these platforms as a driver of youth violence in New Mexico communities.
- Cosponsor of the Combating Cartels on Social Media Act to require DHS to develop and implement a national strategy to combat illicit recruitment of American citizens through social media and introduced the No More Narcos Act to create a coordinated educational campaign led by the Department of Justice to teach middle and high school students within 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border about the dangers of working with cartels
- Supports Sammy’s Law, a bipartisan, commonsense bill to bolster youth online safety by giving parents tools to help ensure their children are not using social media platforms to engage in drug deals and other dangerous behaviors.
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