Romance Scam Prevention Act

The bill would require online dating service providers to send a "fraud ban notification" to any member who exchanged messages with another member whose account was later banned for suspected fraud. The notification would have to identify the banned member, note the timing of the messages, warn that the banned member may have used a false identity, warn against sending money or financial information, provide anti-fraud tips, and include customer service contact information. Providers would generally have 24 hours to send the notice, with limited delays allowed for provider judgment or law enforcement requests, and providers would not be liable for complying with these requirements.

The bill would be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission as an unfair or deceptive practice, and by state attorneys general and other authorized state consumer protection officers, subject to FTC notice and intervention rights. It would also preempt state or local laws governing this specific notification requirement, though not state contract or tort law. The provision would take effect one year after enactment.

Users of online dating websites and mobile apps, dating service providers who would bear new notification and compliance obligations, the Federal Trade Commission, and state attorneys general and consumer protection officers who would gain enforcement authority under the new national standard.

Dating app users who unknowingly interacted with a scammer would receive a warning and be told not to send money, potentially preventing financial losses from romance scams. Dating service providers would face new compliance costs and litigation exposure, though the bill's safe harbor shields them from liability for complying, and the preemption clause blocks states from imposing different notification rules.

Dating service providers would need systems to track fraud bans and message histories between banned and non-banned members, then trigger notifications by email, text, or another consented-to method within 24 hours, extendable to three days at the provider's judgment or at law enforcement's request during investigations. The FTC would treat violations as unfair or deceptive practices under the FTC Act and could pursue enforcement actions. State attorneys general and other consumer protection officers could also sue on behalf of residents but must notify the FTC first, and cannot proceed if the FTC has already filed against the same defendant. The requirement takes effect one year after enactment, giving providers time to build compliance systems.