California Senate adopts resolution designating National Consumer Protection Week, members recount scams

Senator Grayson introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 120 on the floor of the California State Senate to designate the first week of March as National Consumer Protection Week and March 5 as "Slam the Scam Day." The chamber adopted the resolution by unanimous roll call (ayes recorded) after members described rising online fraud and the need for coordinated responses.

Grayson said consumers face growing threats from data misuse, deceptive advertising and sophisticated scams, and cited a Federal Trade Commission estimate, as stated on the floor, that consumers lost $158,000,000,000 to fraud in 2023. "We must do more as a society to stop these criminals from targeting Californians," Grayson said, and he asked colleagues for an "aye" vote to raise awareness and promote resources.

Senator Choi supported the resolution and recounted a personal incident she described as a bridal scam that has left her disputing charges with a card issuer. "They keep on adding penalty after penalty interest for the card I never received," Choi said on the floor, saying she is considering legal action and arguing stronger penalties and consumer protections are needed for uncooperative financial institutions.

Senator Becker highlighted prevention efforts and legislative tools, including recent work to increase public awareness and to regulate data brokers. Becker told the chamber the state has recorded roughly 550 registered data brokers and cited about 280,000 Californians who have signed up for recently created deletion options, calling education and lawmaking complementary tactics.

The resolution also provided an opportunity for Grayson to recognize guests from the Pleasant Hill Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service he said were involved in a cryptocurrency fraud investigation in which law enforcement located and helped recover funds for a victim. Grayson commended the cross‑agency work as an example of law enforcement coordination to return stolen funds.

The measure passed on a roll call with the ayes recorded and no dissenting votes. The resolution directs awareness and encourages use of existing consumer resources; it does not create a new enforcement program or appropriate funds.

Actions at a glance: SCR 120 (Grayson) — adopted by unanimous roll call (ayes recorded).