Americans lose billions of dollars every year to online scams, and the problem is getting worse.

A recent report from the Consumer Federation of America found that Americans lost an estimated $148 billion to "online scams and crimes" in 2025, an increase of nearly 26 percent from the year before.

These are not just numbers on a page. They represent Americans losing money they need for groceries, rent, medical bills and retirement. And far too many of us have someone we personally care for who has fallen prey.

We all feel a responsibility to care for those who are vulnerable, especially older Americans, who are frequently targeted by scammers — but in this new world of digital technology, what can be done?

Personally, I have great resistance to government regulation and intervention bureaus as our government is massive in size and scope in far too many areas where it doesn't belong. But one role of government is to protect us from crime.

Fraud is a crime. And this crime is often invisible and abroad, so legislative oversight might be a necessary step we should explore to safeguard........

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