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Major New U.S. Law Will Help To Protect Consumers From Scammers In Online Marketplaces
President Biden Signs the INFORM Consumers Act
US President Joe Biden has signed the 2023 omnibus spending package, which includes the INFORM Consumers Act that retail organizations have advocated for.
About The Law
“By signing the INFORM Consumers Act into law, President Biden has sent a clear and enforceable signal that stolen and counterfeit products will no longer be left unchecked on e-commerce platforms in 2023 and beyond,” said Michael Hanson, Buy Safe America Coalition spokesperson. “This multi-year effort to pass INFORM would not have been possible without the legislation’s champions, Senators Bill Cassidy and Dick Durbin and Representatives Jan Schakowsky and Gus Bilirakis, who fought tooth-and-nail to get this measure into law. We are also grateful for the unwavering support of Buy Safe America Coalition members, who extend across a multitude of industries and sectors and worked hand-in-hand to bring transparency to online marketplaces. This bill is a resounding win for the millions of consumers, businesses, and retail workers whose lives have been upended by counterfeiting and retail theft enterprises.”
What Will It Do?
The INFORM Consumers Act will require online marketplaces to verify the identities of high-volume third-party sellers and disclose basic information to shoppers and law enforcement. The measure has attracted broad support from retailers, e-commerce platforms, law enforcement officials, manufacturers, and consumers, and is the only piece of legislation that addresses both stolen and counterfeit merchandise being sold online.
“Retailers and law enforcement remain firmly committed to keeping employees and consumers safe from violent theft rings,” said Ben Dugan, Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail (CLEAR) President. “But criminals’ ability to sell merchandise by way of e-commerce sites has made this increasingly difficult. The INFORM Consumers Act will establish robust consumer safeguards and equip law enforcement with the tools they need to crack down on illicit activity.”
Background
Retail theft has cost retailers over $69 billion annually and is responsible for the loss of hundreds of thousands of American jobs. A study on the counterfeit industry estimates that just 21 product types account for over 60 percent of all contraband goods entering the US—a loss of nearly $54.1 billion in sales.
The Buy Safe America Coalition was launched in August 2020 by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), leading efforts to prevent stolen and counterfeit products from proliferating on online marketplaces. Since its inception, the Buy Safe America Coalition has grown to include more than 50 responsible retailers, consumer groups, manufacturers, intellectual property advocates, and law enforcement officials.
SCARS Analysis
The Law of Unforeseen Consequences means that we should be cautious about this new law, but it appears to be a useful step in addressing part of the financial fraud problem!
However, we believe that this will have positive impact worldwide. What is required in the U.S. will become standard practice for these platforms worldwide.
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ARTICLE META
Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- Enroll in FREE SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
SCARS Institute articles examine different aspects of the scam victim experience, as well as those who may have been secondary victims. This work focuses on understanding victimization through the science of victimology, including common psychological and behavioral responses. The purpose is to help victims and survivors understand why these crimes occurred, reduce shame and self-blame, strengthen recovery programs and victim opportunities, and lower the risk of future victimization.
At times, these discussions may sound uncomfortable, overwhelming, or may be mistaken for blame. They are not. Scam victims are never blamed. Our goal is to explain the mechanisms of deception and the human responses that scammers exploit, and the processes that occur after the scam ends, so victims can better understand what happened to them and why it felt convincing at the time, and what the path looks like going forward.
Articles that address the psychology, neurology, physiology, and other characteristics of scams and the victim experience recognize that all people share cognitive and emotional traits that can be manipulated under the right conditions. These characteristics are not flaws. They are normal human functions that criminals deliberately exploit. Victims typically have little awareness of these mechanisms while a scam is unfolding and a very limited ability to control them. Awareness often comes only after the harm has occurred.
By explaining these processes, these articles help victims make sense of their experiences, understand common post-scam reactions, and identify ways to protect themselves moving forward. This knowledge supports recovery by replacing confusion and self-blame with clarity, context, and self-compassion.
Additional educational material on these topics is available at ScamPsychology.org – ScamsNOW.com and other SCARS Institute websites.
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
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