Romance Scam Prevention Act (H.R. 2481)

Summary

Makes online dating services tell users if they have talked with someone who was later banned for trying to scam people.

What problem does this solve?

People using dating apps often get tricked by scammers into sending money. This bill makes dating apps warn users who have talked to a known scammer, helping them avoid being tricked.

What does this bill do?

Mandatory fraud ban notifications

Requires online dating services to notify a user if they have communicated with another member who has been banned for suspected fraudulent activity.

Specific content for notifications

Specifies that notifications must include the banned user's profile name, a warning about fraud, advice not to send money, and links to best practices and customer service.

Notification timeline

Sets a deadline for sending notifications within 24 hours of a ban, but allows delays up to 3 days for company review or longer if requested by law enforcement.

Enforcement by the FTC

Gives the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the power to enforce this law, treating violations as an unfair or deceptive act.

State-level enforcement

Allows state attorneys general to sue on behalf of their residents to enforce the law, but they must notify the FTC and cannot sue if the FTC is already taking action.

Safe harbor for providers

Protects online dating service providers from being sued by users or banned members for actions taken to comply with the notification requirements.

One national standard

Prevents states from creating their own different or conflicting laws about how dating services must notify users about banned scammers.

Who does this affect?

Online dating service users
Online dating service providers

What is the real world impact?

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Protects consumers from financial fraud

Aims to reduce the large amount of money people lose to romance scams by warning them about potential fraudsters they have interacted with on dating platforms.

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Creates a uniform national standard

Establishes a single set of rules for all online dating services across the country, preventing a confusing mix of different state laws about scam notifications.

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Shields companies from lawsuits

Includes a 'safe harbor' clause that protects online dating companies from being sued for sending the required scam notifications, which could be seen as overly favorable to the companies.

When does this start?

The rules in this bill will start one year after it is signed into law.

Standard notification deadline

Dating services must send a fraud notification within 24 hours after a member is banned for scamming.

Provider-judged delay

If a dating service needs more time to review, they can delay the notification for up to 3 days after the ban.

Law enforcement delay

If police are investigating, they can ask the dating service to wait to send the notification. The service must then send it within 3 days after the police-requested delay ends.