AI Fraud Accountability Act
AI Fraud Accountability Act of 2026
United States · S.3982, 119th Congress (2025–2026)
- Status
- Proposed / pending
- Applies to
- Any person using digital impersonation in interstate or foreign communications to defraud
- Enforced by
- FTC (civil); DOJ (criminal)
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to create a new criminal offense for using a realistic digital impersonation in interstate or foreign communications with intent to defraud a person of money or things of value. Establishes extraterritorial jurisdiction — critical because many AI scam operations targeting American seniors originate overseas. Empowers the FTC with civil enforcement authority and directs NIST to develop best practices. Explicitly endorsed by AARP and the 60 Plus Association because of the devastating toll on seniors.
Who is protected: All consumers defrauded via digital impersonation; AARP and 60 Plus Association endorsement targets senior victims
Legal detail
Amends Communications Act to criminalize digital impersonation fraud; grants FTC civil enforcement authority; provides extraterritorial criminal jurisdiction; directs NIST/DOJ/FTC working group on best practices.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | United States |
|---|---|
| Level | Federal |
| Citation | S.3982, 119th Congress (2025–2026) |
| Penalties | Mail/wire fraud: up to $1–2 million fines; up to 20–30 years imprisonment when AI tools used in commission |
| Topics | consumer protection · deepfakes · consumer data privacy |
| Agency page | NEWS: Senators Blunt Rochester and Sheehy Introduce AI Fraud Accountability Act |
More AI rules in United States
- Trump AI Innovation & Security EO (June 2026) · In effect
- FERC order directing PJM and other grid operators to reform tariffs on… · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Chatrie v. United States (Fourth Amendment protection for location… · Blocked / in litigation
- Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act) (H.R. 7757) · Proposed / pending
- NAIC AI Evaluation Tool Pilot (12 states, 2026) · Proposed / pending
- FTC Proposed Policy Statement — AI Accuracy (July 2026) · Proposed / pending
Related consumer protection rules elsewhere
- Missouri AI Therapy Chatbot Ban (SB 1019) · 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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