House · HR 2481 · 119th Congress
Romance Scam Prevention Act
Summary
This bill requires online dating apps and websites to warn users when they have received a message from a banned account. The ban must happen because the site decided the account posed a serious fraud risk. The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general can take action against services that do not comply.
In Favor
Romance scams cost victims millions of dollars every year. This bill gives dating app users a direct warning when a suspected scammer has contacted them. That alert could stop someone from sending money or sharing personal financial details before real harm occurs.
Against
Dating services must now send alerts within 24 hours of banning an account. Meeting that tight deadline adds cost and complexity for smaller providers. The law also blocks states from setting their own rules, removing local flexibility to address fraud in ways that fit each state.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
This bill requires online dating apps and websites to alert users when they have received a message from a banned account. The ban targets accounts the service believes tried to steal money from other users through fraud.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The provisions stay on topic, focusing on fraud ban alerts, required notice contents, timing rules, enforcement by the FTC, and state attorney general authority.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
Online dating service users benefit from receiving fraud alerts. Online dating companies must build and maintain systems to send those alerts within strict time limits.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The bill does not authorize or appropriate any specific dollar amount. It shifts costs onto online dating companies to create alert systems and onto the FTC to write rules and handle enforcement.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
Companies must send alerts within 24 hours of a fraud ban, which may be hard to meet at scale. Law enforcement can request delays, adding a coordination step that companies must track carefully.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 10/20/2026