House BillHR 2481Civil actions and liabilityLicensing and registrations
Romance Scam Prevention Act
INTRO MAR 31· LAST ACTION SEP 23
PASSAGE CHANCES
PASSED
READING
9MIN
COSPONSORS
9BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
One chamber only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 5 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Romance scams are a significant problem, costing Americans hundreds of millions of dollars each year and causing emotional distress. This bill matters because it directly tackles this issue by making online dating platforms more responsible for warning their users about potential threats they've already encountered.
If this bill becomes law, users will gain a crucial layer of protection, getting timely alerts that could prevent them from falling victim to a scammer or losing more money. Currently, many platforms may ban scammers but don't necessarily alert those who interacted with them. Without this bill, people might continue communicating with or sending money to scammers, unaware that the person they're talking to has been flagged and removed by the platform, leaving them more vulnerable to financial exploitation and emotional manipulation.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Online dating services must send a "fraud ban notification" to any user who has messaged a person who was later banned for fraud.
This directly informs users they might have interacted with a scammer, helping prevent ongoing fraud.
PROVISION 02
Notifications must include the banned user's profile, a warning about potential fraud, advice not to send money, fraud prevention tips, and customer service contact.
This ensures the notification is comprehensive and actionable, giving users specific information and resources.
PROVISION 03
Notifications must be clear, conspicuous, and delivered quickly (generally within 24 hours, up to 3 days, or later if law enforcement requests a delay).
Timely and noticeable warnings are critical for users to react before they suffer significant harm.
PROVISION 04
Online dating services are protected from lawsuits for complying with these notification requirements.
This encourages platforms to implement the warnings without fear of legal repercussions from scammers or other parties.
PROVISION 05
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general can enforce these rules, treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts, and states cannot create their own laws on this topic.
This provides a clear legal pathway to ensure dating services follow the new requirements and ensures consistent rules nationwide.
Romance scams are a significant problem, costing Americans hundreds of millions of dollars each year and causing emotional distress. This bill matters because it directly tackles this issue by making online dating platforms more responsible for warning their users about potential threats they've already encountered.
If this bill becomes law, users will gain a crucial layer of protection, getting timely alerts that could prevent them from falling victim to a scammer or losing more money. Currently, many platforms may ban scammers but don't necessarily alert those who interacted with them. Without this bill, people might continue communicating with or sending money to scammers, unaware that the person they're talking to has been flagged and removed by the platform, leaving them more vulnerable to financial exploitation and emotional manipulation.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Online dating services must send a "fraud ban notification" to any user who has messaged a person who was later banned for fraud.
This directly informs users they might have interacted with a scammer, helping prevent ongoing fraud.
high
Notifications must include the banned user's profile, a warning about potential fraud, advice not to send money, fraud prevention tips, and customer service contact.
This ensures the notification is comprehensive and actionable, giving users specific information and resources.
high
Notifications must be clear, conspicuous, and delivered quickly (generally within 24 hours, up to 3 days, or later if law enforcement requests a delay).
Timely and noticeable warnings are critical for users to react before they suffer significant harm.
med
Online dating services are protected from lawsuits for complying with these notification requirements.
This encourages platforms to implement the warnings without fear of legal repercussions from scammers or other parties.
med
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general can enforce these rules, treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts, and states cannot create their own laws on this topic.
This provides a clear legal pathway to ensure dating services follow the new requirements and ensures consistent rules nationwide.
As defined by the Federal Trade Commission Act for "unfair or deceptive acts or practices" (e.g., cease and desist orders, monetary penalties, consumer redress).
Online dating service providers who violate the requirements.
Civil
Appropriate relief (e.g., injunctions, monetary penalties) as determined by a court.
Online dating service providers subject to state enforcement actions.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Online dating service provider
A company that operates a website or app designed to help people find romantic partners.
Fraud ban notification
A message sent to a user of an online dating service to inform them that someone they communicated with has been removed from the service because they were suspected of trying to commit fraud.
Banned member
A user who has been removed or blocked from an online dating service due to violating its rules, often for fraudulent behavior.
Safe harbor
A legal provision that protects a party from liability under specific circumstances, in this case, protecting dating services from lawsuits for complying with the notification requirements.
Parens patriae
A legal term referring to the power of the state to act as a guardian for those who are unable to care for themselves, often used when a state attorney general sues on behalf of its residents.
Federal Trade Commission Act
The main law that created the Federal Trade Commission and gives it power to protect consumers by preventing unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
Unfair or deceptive acts or practices
ACTION TIMELINE
31 EVENTS
SEP 23
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
FLOOR
SEP 23
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
FLOOR
JUN 17
Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 438.
CALENDARS
JUN 17
Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 438.
Business activities that mislead consumers, are likely to cause substantial injury that consumers cannot reasonably avoid, and are not outweighed by benefits to consumers or competition.
One National Standard
A rule in the bill that prevents states or local governments from creating their own, different laws or regulations on this same issue, ensuring a single set of rules across the country.
