H.R. 2481 · Passed both chambers · Commerce

Romance Scam Prevention Act

What it does

Require online dating service providers to notify users when they have communicated with a banned user, including the banned user's profile identifier and timing of last contact.
Mandate that fraud ban notifications inform users that the banned user may have used a false identity or attempted fraud, and advise against sending cash or financial information to other users.
Require dating services to provide fraud-prevention resources and customer service contact information in ban notifications.
Authorize the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general to enforce these notification requirements.

Official summary

Romance Scam Prevention Act This bill requires online dating service providers (i.e., mobile applications or websites) to provide users with a fraud ban notification if the user has established an account with the service and received a message through the service from a banned user of the service. The fraud ban notification must include (1) the username or other profile identifier of the banned user and the most recent time when the user who is receiving the notification sent or received a message through the service to or from the banned user, (2) a statement that the banned user may have been using a false identity or attempting to defraud other users, (3) a statement that the user should not send cash (or another form of currency) or personal financial information to another user, (4) information about avoiding online fraud (e.g., a link to another website or a disclosure) and (5) contact information for the provider's customer service department. The bill provides for enforcement of these requirements by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general.

Latest action

Sep 24, 2026: Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Committee: House Energy and Commerce