Romance Scam Prevention Act
Romance Scam Prevention Act
Plain Language Summary
# Romance Scam Prevention Act Summary **What It Does:** This bill requires online dating apps and websites to notify users if they've been communicating with someone who was banned from the platform for fraud. When such a notification is sent, it must include the scammer's username, when the communication occurred, a warning that the person may have used a fake identity, and advice not to send money or personal financial information. The notification should also provide fraud prevention resources and customer service contact information. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects online dating service providers (dating apps and websites), who must implement these notification systems. It benefits users by alerting them if they've been in contact with known scammers.
Romance scams—where fraudsters pose as romantic interests to steal money—disproportionately harm older adults and vulnerable populations, so this bill aims to protect these groups. **Current Status:** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is part of the 119th Congress. It now moves to the Senate for consideration. The measure is sponsored by Rep. David Valadao (R-CA).
CRS Official Summary
Romance Scam Prevention ActThis 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
Received in the Senate.