EPIC, Coalition Testify in FTC Hearing on Impersonation Scam Rule

On January 17, 2025, EPIC offered video testimony during the Federal Trade Commission’s hearing on its Rule on Impersonation of Government, Businesses, and Individuals. EPIC also submitted related written testimony, supported by a coalition of six other consumer advocacy organizations, to applaud the FTC for its important work protecting consumers from scammers impersonating individuals. EPIC and its partners were involved at multiple steps of this rulemaking process.

In her video testimony, EPIC Senior Counsel Sara Geoghegan noted: “People are more likely to fall for a scam and give more money when they believe someone that they know, love, and trust is in need of their help. Also, individual impersonations have the ability to prey on people (whether it’s someone posing as a job recruiter, a significant other, friend, or life coach); scammers are able to use technology to gather information and use that information to exploit people. These scammers can build relationships with their victims over time because they pose as individuals, gaining trust and making their victims more vulnerable over months or years.”

EPIC routinely participates in regulatory and legislative processes concerning scam prevention, files amicus briefs in robocall cases, and published a report with NCLC on robocall scams.