DoJ Integrity Elder Fraud Group

On 11 July, DoJ, SEC, CFPB, FTRC task force on elder fraud.

  • Follows President Trump July 11, 2018 signing executive order against fraud.
  • Order established a new task force on market integrity and consumer fraud.

Scope

  • Focus on fraud vs. consumers-especially elderly, service members, veterans.
  • As well as corporate fraud that victimizes general public or the government.
  • Include digital currency fraud; money laundering, seek recovery of proceeds.
  • As well as fraud re health care; tax; securities and commodity fraud, crimes.

Membership

  • Law enforcement and other departments and agencies, invited to take part.
  • SEC chair Clayton spoke, issued factsheet on fighting retail investors' fraud.
  • Coordination efforts included Homeland Security, Treasury, Fed, CFTC, USPS.
  • DoJ use affirmative civil enforcement to recover funds and impose penalties.

Recommendations

  • Task force may make recommendation to the President, via attorney-general.
  • Action on cooperation by agencies for investigation and prosecution of fraud.
  • Cooperation among federal, State, local and tribal authorities, in connection,
    with detection, investigation, and prosecution of fraud, other financial crime.
  • Follows DoJ May 2018 policy on better enforcement cooperation.
  • Changes in rules, regulations, or policy, or recommendations to the Congress.
  • Companies that cooperate, voluntarily report and remediate, get just results.

July 12, 2018 CFPB Comment

  • On July 12, 2018, CFPB announced its role in DoJ consumer fraud task force.
  • CFPB will cooperate with other federal and state authorities to combat fraud.
  • Cited work against elder exploitation, collaborate with State AGs, local firms.
  • Technically assist community effort to stop elder financial exploitation scams.
  • Has online resource to help consumers prevent, recognize and report scams.
  • Including fraudulent debt collection, debt relief, and foreclosure relief scams.
  • Resource on dangers facing consumers, what you can do to protect yourself.