Bill · H.R. 2481· House(119-HR-2481)
Romance Scam Prevention Act
- Introduced
- 3/31/2025
- Last activity
- 9/24/2026 — Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Sponsored by
- David Valadao
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 4
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
What this bill would do
This bill requires online dating service providers to send fraud ban notifications to members who have communicated with someone whose account was banned for fraud. The notification must include specific details, such as the banned member's username and warnings against sending money or personal financial information. Providers generally must send this notice within 24 hours, though delays are permitted under certain provider judgments or law enforcement requests. The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general are granted enforcement powers over violations of this requirement. Additionally, the bill establishes one national standard, preventing states from enforcing their own laws regarding fraud ban notifications on online dating services.
Yes
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+5
The bill enhances consumer protection by requiring dating services to notify users of potential fraud risks.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?+3
The bill increases user awareness of fraudulent profiles, which indirectly supports digital privacy and security.
Does this give the federal government more power?+3
The bill centralizes the standards for dating service notifications under federal authority, preempting state laws.
The opposite
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-4
The bill restricts the ability of states and political subdivisions to maintain or enforce their own dating service notification standards.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Fraud Ban Notification: Section 2(a)(1) requires online dating service providers to notify members if they have received a message from a banned member, which helps alert individuals that they may have been in contact with a scammer.
-
Warning Against Financial Loss: Section 2(a)(2)(C) mandates that the notification include a statement advising members not to send cash, currency, or personal financial information to another member, which protects people from losing money to romance scams.
-
Best Practices and Help Information: Sections 2(a)(2)(D) and 2(a)(2)(E) require the notification to provide best practices for avoiding online fraud and include customer service contact information, giving users practical tools to protect themselves and get help.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Delayed Warnings: Section 2(a)(3)(B)(ii) allows online dating service providers to delay sending the fraud ban notification for up to three days based on their own judgment, which could leave users unaware of a scam threat for a longer period.
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Law Enforcement Delays: Section 2(a)(3)(B)(iii) permits online dating service providers to delay notifications upon the request of a law enforcement official during an ongoing investigation, meaning users may continue interacting with a compromised environment without immediate knowledge.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3Increase States Rights-4
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
- 9/24/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 9/23/2026
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4902)
- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4902)
- 6/17/2026
- Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 438.
- 6/24/2025
- Received in the Senate.
- 6/23/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2848-2849)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2848-2849)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2481.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2848-2850)
- Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 6/12/2025
- Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-153.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 119.
- 6/6/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/8/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 4/7/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/1/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/31/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Juan CiscomaniRepublican · Arizona
Craig GoldmanRepublican · Texas
Josh HarderDemocrat · California
David JoyceRepublican · Ohio
Susie LeeDemocrat · Nevada
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Brittany PettersenDemocrat · Colorado
Thomas SuozziDemocrat · New York
Jefferson ShreveRepublican · Indiana