Attorney General Lynn Fitch joined 44 state and territory attorneys general in signing a bipartisan letter urging Congress to include Edith’s Bill in COVID-19 relief legislation. As the pandemic persists, seniors across the country have fallen victim to scams, providing personal information to bad actors claiming to offer tests for COVID-19. The legislation would help senior victims recover financial losses incurred as a result of fraud.

The letter, sent by the National Association of Attorneys General reads, “Many seniors live on fixed incomes and savings earned over a lifetime of hard work. Older adults have contributed so much to our nation, and it is simply wrong that many are losing life savings to criminals. Tragically, it is rare for seniors to receive compensation even after fraudsters are caught and convicted. Edith’s Bill would take an important step in providing compensation to defrauded seniors, and it would do so without using taxpayer funds.”

It is widely expected that seniors will continue to be targeted by fraudsters even after the pandemic ends. Edith’s Bill will amend the Victims of Crime Act so that senior fraud will be an eligible reimbursement expense under VOCA. Once amended, states will be incentivized to provide compensation to victims of senior fraud.

“As Mississippi’s chief legal officer, I am committed to protecting our seniors who are especially vulnerable to fraud and abuse, fighting to safeguard the retirement savings they worked a lifetime to build,” said Fitch. “Edith’s Bill is an important step to providing victims with the financial relief they deserve.”