Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2481, known as the Romance Scam Prevention Act. The bill was introduced by Congressman David Valadao of California and co-sponsored by Reps. Brittany Pettersen from Colorado, Tom Suozzi from New York, and Craig Goldman from Texas. This legislation mandates dating apps to notify users if they have interacted with someone removed for fraudulent activity.
Senators Marsha Blackburn and John Hickenlooper sponsored a similar bill in the Senate, which advanced through the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation earlier this year.
“Millions of Americans use online dating platforms to connect with romantic partners,” stated Congressman Valadao. “As criminals become more sophisticated, it’s important we have safeguards in place to protect users.”
Rep. Pettersen emphasized that “notifying users if they have been in contact with a potential scammer is a basic security feature.” She expressed gratitude for the bipartisan support in the House.
Rep. Suozzi noted that these scams are not merely annoying but can be devastating: “These aren’t just creepy or shady tactics—they are life-ruining attacks.”
Valadao addressed Congress about the bill’s importance due to increasing online fraud targeting all age groups. He cited Federal Trade Commission data showing $1.1 billion lost to romance scams in 2023 alone.
The legislation requires platforms to issue fraud ban notifications when an account is removed for suspicious activities.
Valadao thanked his colleagues and Chairman Guthrie of the Committee on Energy & Commerce for their support on this initiative.
Over 60 million Americans used online dating services in 2023, with many falling victim to scams involving fake profiles designed to exploit personal information or finances.
