WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives today passed bipartisan legislation led by Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) to give state and local law enforcement the tools to investigate financial fraud and “pig butchering” scams targeting older Americans. The Guarding Unprotected Aging Retirees from Deception (GUARD) Act, co-led by Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) and Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), passed the House 414-7.
Rep. Nunn spoke on the House floor in support of the GUARD Act. Watch the remarks here or by clicking below:
“Iowa retirees spent a lifetime building their savings, and scammers are using increasingly sophisticated technology to steal it out from under them,” said Rep. Nunn. “The GUARD Act came directly from an Iowa sheriff’s deputy who told me officers were watching criminals steal the life savings of hardworking Iowans but lacked the tools to track them down and recover the money. Today, the House voted to give state and local law enforcement the resources they need to pursue fraudsters, recover stolen funds, and deliver justice for victims. I urge the Senate to take it up without delay and get these protections to the Iowans who need them.”
“Every day, scammers are targeting our seniors — draining the hard-earned savings they spent a lifetime building, often with a single phone call or a fake investment scheme,” said Rep. Gottheimer. “These criminals don’t play it straight, and too often they hide behind overseas networks that make them nearly impossible to track. The GUARD Act gives our cops and investigators the tools and the resources to hunt these fraudsters down, claw back stolen money, and protect the people who built this country. Protecting our parents and grandparents is just common sense, and I’m proud this bipartisan bill is one step closer to becoming law.”
“As technology continues to evolve, so do the tactics used by criminals to defraud hardworking Americans. The House passage of the GUARD Act is an important step toward giving state and local law enforcement the tools they need to combat financial fraud and protect victims,” said Rep. Fitzgerald. “By harnessing innovative technologies like blockchain, we can stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated scams and better protect Wisconsin seniors and families. I’m proud to co-lead this effort, and I urge my Senate colleagues to take up the GUARD Act and pass it swiftly.”
According to the FBI, Iowans lost $96 million to fraud in 2025, an increase of more than 85 percent from the previous year. Scammers are using social media, email, text messages, and phone calls to lure retirees into fake investment schemes and clean out their accounts.
The bipartisan GUARD Act meets that threat by giving the investigators who handle these cases the resources to keep up. The bill would allow state, local, and Tribal law enforcement to use eligible federal grant funding to investigate financial fraud. It would also clarify that federal law enforcement can help those officers use blockchain tracing tools to follow stolen money and recover it.
Law enforcement, senior advocates, and consumer groups welcomed the bill’s passage.
“Financial fraud is a growing threat to Iowans, and criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the ways they target consumers, particularly older Americans. Iowa’s credit unions play an important role in identifying and preventing fraud and protecting their members from financial harm,” said Murray Williams, President and CEO, Iowa Credit Union League. “The GUARD Act strengthens that effort by giving state and local law enforcement additional resources to investigate financial crimes and hold those responsible accountable. We appreciate Congressman Nunn’s leadership on this issue and his commitment to protecting Iowa families and communities from financial fraud.”
“Elder fraud and financial scams are robbing older Americans of their life savings at an alarming rate, and the 4,200 credit unions across the country see that firsthand,” said Kathleen Coulombe, Chief Advocacy Officer, America’s Credit Unions. “America’s Credit Unions strongly supports the GUARD Act and measures like it, which take concrete steps to defend seniors and preserve the savings they spent a lifetime earning. By directing real investigative resources to local law enforcement and providing advanced tools to trace stolen funds, the GUARD Act strengthens our front lines against scammers. We thank Representative Nunn for championing this bill and urge Congress to quickly pass this legislation.”
“The GUARD Act will help provide state and local law enforcement with necessary resources to combat fraud and the organized crime rings that are hurting retirees and communities,” said Rodney Davis, Head of Government Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “The U.S. Chamber is proud to support this legislation and thanks Rep. Nunn for his leadership in this critical battle against scammers.”
“The Crypto Council for Innovation supports the bipartisan GUARD Act. Strong consumer protection requires that law enforcement have the tools, training, and resources necessary to identify and pursue illicit activity in digital asset markets,” said Ji Hun Kim, Chief Executive Officer, Crypto Council for Innovation. “We commend Representatives Nunn, Gottheimer, and Fitzgerald for their leadership and for their bipartisan work on this important legislation.”
“Representative Nunn is a close partner on a number of fraud issues, especially the GUARD Act that directs federal grant money toward local law enforcement for the tools and training they need to fight fraud,” said Iowa AARP. “He’s been a champion in his district and across Washington, D.C., and we’re proud to see the GUARD Act move through the House.”
“Protecting consumers from sophisticated financial crime requires a united front across government, law enforcement, and the private sector,” said Chris Sparks, Head of Card Fraud, Capital One. “By passing the GUARD Act today, the U.S. House of Representatives has taken a decisive step toward filling critical gaps to help stop criminal scammers before they strike. Capital One applauds Representatives Nunn, Fitzgerald, and Gottheimer for this bipartisan achievement in advancing legislation that will safeguard older Americans and reinforce trust in our financial system.”
“On behalf of the Iowa Bankers Association, we thank Congressman Zach Nunn for his leadership on the bipartisan GUARD Act and congratulate him on its recent passage. We appreciate Nunn’s commitment to protecting seniors from incredibly sophisticated financial fraud and his dedication to holding bad actors accountable,” said Adam Gregg, President and CEO, Iowa Bankers Association. “This legislation provides valuable resources to combat fraud, enhance security, and give Iowans confidence that their hard-earned money is protected.”
The GUARD Act cleared the House Financial Services Committee unanimously earlier this year. With today’s passage, the bill now advances to the Senate for consideration.
###