DC AG Schwalb — Consumer Alert: Deepfake Telemarketing Scams Targeting DC Residents (April 2025)
DC · D.C. Code § 28-3904; DC OAG Consumer Alert (Apr. 18, 2025)
The DC Attorney General announced an Elder Justice Initiative focused on AI-enabled scams targeting older Washingtonians — voice-clone grandparent scams, tech-support fraud using AI chatbots, and AI romance scams. The office uses DC's Consumer Protection Procedures Act and the Elder Financial Exploitation Act to investigate.
Technical detail
DC OAG Elder Justice priorities (May 15, 2025) leveraging the District Consumer Protection Procedures Act (D.C. Code § 28-3904), the Elder Financial Exploitation Act, and CFPB partnership data. Targets AI voice-clone scams, AI-driven tech support fraud, and deepfake celebrity-endorsement schemes targeting seniors.
Who is protected: DC seniors and consumers targeted by AI-enabled fraud
Who must comply: Persons engaged in deceptive AI practices in or affecting DC commerce
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | DC |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Limited protection |
| Effective date | 2025-04-18 |
| Enacted | 2025-04-18 |
| Citation | D.C. Code § 28-3904; DC OAG Consumer Alert (Apr. 18, 2025) |
| Enforced by | District of Columbia Attorney General |
| Private right of action | Yes — individuals can sue |
| Penalties | CPPA civil penalties up to $5,000/violation; treble damages; injunctive relief |
| Topics | consumer protection · deepfakes |
| Last verified | 2026-06-17 |
| Official source | AG Schwalb Launches Senior Citizen Counts Campaign ↗ |
More AI rules in DC
- DC Bar Op. 388 (GenAI) · In effect
- DC DOI AI Bulletin · In effect
Related consumer protection rules elsewhere
- Missouri AI Therapy Chatbot Ban (SB 1019) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Vermont Data Broker Law (H.211) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Arkansas Frank Broyles Act AI amendment — voice and likeness protection (2025) · In effect
- PA v. Character.AI (Fake Psychiatrist Chatbot) · Blocked / in litigation
- NAACP v. xAI (Colossus 2 Air Pollution) · Blocked / in litigation
- RI Therapy Chatbot Ban (2026) · In effect
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