Legis Daily

Romance Scam Prevention Act

USA119th CongressHR-2481| House 
| Updated: 6/24/2025
David G. Valadao

David G. Valadao

Republican Representative

California

Cosponsors (9)
Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)David P. Joyce (Republican)Jefferson Shreve (Republican)Brittany Pettersen (Democratic)Josh Harder (Democratic)Juan Ciscomani (Republican)Michael Lawler (Republican)Susie Lee (Democratic)Craig A. Goldman (Republican)

Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Romance Scam Prevention Act requires online dating service providers to issue a fraud ban notification to any member who has sent or received a message from a user whose account has been banned due to suspected fraudulent activity. These notifications are designed to protect users from romance scams by informing them when they have interacted with a potentially fraudulent individual. Each notification must clearly identify the banned member, state that they may have been using a false identity or attempting to defraud, and include a strong warning against sending cash or financial information to other members. Furthermore, the notification must provide information on best practices to avoid online fraud and contact details for customer service. Notifications must be clear, conspicuous, and delivered via email or text message, generally within 24 hours of the fraud ban being initiated, though delays are permitted under specific circumstances, such as ongoing law enforcement investigations. The bill includes a safe harbor provision, protecting online dating service providers from liability when complying with these notification requirements. Enforcement of this Act falls under the purview of the Federal Trade Commission , treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Additionally, State Attorneys General are authorized to bring civil actions on behalf of their residents, with provisions for notifying and allowing intervention by the Commission. The Act establishes a one national standard , preempting conflicting state or local laws regarding these fraud ban notifications, and is set to take effect one year after its enactment.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

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Timeline
Mar 31, 2025
Introduced in House
Mar 31, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Apr 8, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Apr 8, 2025
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Jun 12, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 119.
Jun 12, 2025
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-153.
Jun 23, 2025
Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Jun 23, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2848-2850)
Jun 23, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2481.
Jun 23, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2848-2849)
Jun 23, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
Jun 23, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2848-2849)
Jun 23, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jun 24, 2025
Received in the Senate.
Sep 2, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-841
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-58.
  • March 31, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • March 31, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.


  • April 8, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • April 8, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.


  • June 12, 2025
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 119.


  • June 12, 2025
    Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-153.


  • June 23, 2025
    Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • June 23, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2848-2850)


  • June 23, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2481.


  • June 23, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2848-2849)


  • June 23, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.


  • June 23, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2848-2849)


  • June 23, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • June 24, 2025
    Received in the Senate.


  • September 2, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-841
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-58.

Commerce

Related Bills

  • S 119-841: Romance Scam Prevention Act
Civil actions and liabilityConsumer affairsFraud offenses and financial crimesInternet, web applications, social mediaLicensing and registrations

Romance Scam Prevention Act

USA119th CongressHR-2481| House 
| Updated: 6/24/2025
The Romance Scam Prevention Act requires online dating service providers to issue a fraud ban notification to any member who has sent or received a message from a user whose account has been banned due to suspected fraudulent activity. These notifications are designed to protect users from romance scams by informing them when they have interacted with a potentially fraudulent individual. Each notification must clearly identify the banned member, state that they may have been using a false identity or attempting to defraud, and include a strong warning against sending cash or financial information to other members. Furthermore, the notification must provide information on best practices to avoid online fraud and contact details for customer service. Notifications must be clear, conspicuous, and delivered via email or text message, generally within 24 hours of the fraud ban being initiated, though delays are permitted under specific circumstances, such as ongoing law enforcement investigations. The bill includes a safe harbor provision, protecting online dating service providers from liability when complying with these notification requirements. Enforcement of this Act falls under the purview of the Federal Trade Commission , treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Additionally, State Attorneys General are authorized to bring civil actions on behalf of their residents, with provisions for notifying and allowing intervention by the Commission. The Act establishes a one national standard , preempting conflicting state or local laws regarding these fraud ban notifications, and is set to take effect one year after its enactment.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Mar 31, 2025
Introduced in House
Mar 31, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Apr 8, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Apr 8, 2025
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Jun 12, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 119.
Jun 12, 2025
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-153.
Jun 23, 2025
Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Jun 23, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2848-2850)
Jun 23, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2481.
Jun 23, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2848-2849)
Jun 23, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
Jun 23, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2848-2849)
Jun 23, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jun 24, 2025
Received in the Senate.
Sep 2, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-841
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-58.
  • March 31, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • March 31, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.


  • April 8, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • April 8, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.


  • June 12, 2025
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 119.


  • June 12, 2025
    Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-153.


  • June 23, 2025
    Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • June 23, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2848-2850)


  • June 23, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2481.


  • June 23, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2848-2849)


  • June 23, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.


  • June 23, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2848-2849)


  • June 23, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • June 24, 2025
    Received in the Senate.


  • September 2, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-841
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-58.
David G. Valadao

David G. Valadao

Republican Representative

California

Cosponsors (9)
Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)David P. Joyce (Republican)Jefferson Shreve (Republican)Brittany Pettersen (Democratic)Josh Harder (Democratic)Juan Ciscomani (Republican)Michael Lawler (Republican)Susie Lee (Democratic)Craig A. Goldman (Republican)

Energy and Commerce Committee

Commerce

Related Bills

  • S 119-841: Romance Scam Prevention Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Civil actions and liabilityConsumer affairsFraud offenses and financial crimesInternet, web applications, social mediaLicensing and registrations