[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 107 (Monday, June 23, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H2848-H2850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ROMANCE SCAM PREVENTION ACT
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2481) to require online dating service providers to provide
fraud ban notifications to online dating servicemembers, and for other
purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2481
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Romance Scam Prevention
Act''.
SEC. 2. ROMANCE SCAM PREVENTION.
(a) Fraud Ban Notification.--
(1) In general.--An online dating service provider shall
provide to a member of the online dating service a fraud ban
notification if
[[Page H2849]]
the member has received a message through the online dating
service from a banned member of the online dating service.
(2) Required contents.--A fraud ban notification under
paragraph (1) shall include the following:
(A) The username or other profile identifier of the banned
member, as well as the most recent time when the member to
whom the notification is being provided sent or received a
message through the online dating service to or from the
banned member.
(B) A statement, as applicable, that the banned member
identified in subparagraph (A) may have been using a false
identity or attempting to defraud members.
(C) A statement that a member should not send cash or
another form of currency or personal financial information to
another member.
(D) Information regarding best practices to avoid online
fraud or being defrauded by a member of an online dating
service, which may be provided through a link to another web
page or disclosure.
(E) Contact information to reach the customer service
department of the online dating service provider.
(3) Manner and timing.--
(A) Manner.--A fraud ban notification under paragraph (1)
shall be--
(i) clear and conspicuous; and
(ii) provided by email, text message, or, if consented to
by the member receiving the fraud ban notification, other
appropriate means of communication.
(B) Timing.--
(i) In general.--Except as provided in clauses (ii) and
(iii), an online dating service provider shall provide a
fraud ban notification under paragraph (1) not later than 24
hours after the fraud ban is initiated against the banned
member.
(ii) Delay based on judgment of provider.--If, in the
judgment of the online dating service provider, the
circumstances require a fraud ban notification under
paragraph (1) to be provided after the 24-hour period
described in clause (i), the online dating service provider
shall, except as provided in clause (iii), provide the
notification not later than 3 days after the day on which the
fraud ban is initiated against the banned member.
(iii) Delay upon request of law enforcement official.--If,
due to an ongoing investigation, a law enforcement official
requests an online dating service provider to delay providing
a fraud ban notification under paragraph (1) beyond the time
when the notification is required to be provided under clause
(i) or (ii), the online dating service provider--
(I) may not provide the notification before the end of the
period of delay (including any extension of such period)
requested by the law enforcement official; and
(II) shall provide the notification not later than 3 days
after the last day of the period of delay (including any
extension of such period) requested by the law enforcement
official.
(4) Safe harbor applicability.--An online dating service
provider is not liable to a member, a banned member, or a
former member for a claim based on an online dating service
provider's action to comply with the requirements for
providing a fraud ban notification under this subsection.
(b) Enforcement.--
(1) Enforcement by the commission.--
(A) Unfair or deceptive acts or practices.--A violation of
this section or a regulation promulgated under this section
shall be treated as a violation of a rule defining an unfair
or deceptive act or practice under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the
Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)).
(B) Powers of commission.--
(i) In general.--The Commission shall enforce this section
in the same manner, by the same means, and with the same
jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all applicable
terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15
U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were incorporated into and made a part of
this section.
(ii) Privileges and immunities.--Any person who violates
this section shall be subject to the penalties and entitled
to the privileges and immunities provided in the Federal
Trade Commission Act.
(iii) Authority preserved.--Nothing in this section may be
construed to limit the authority of the Commission under any
other provision of law.
(2) Enforcement by states.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), in any case
in which the attorney general of a State has reason to
believe that an interest of the residents of the State has
been or is threatened or adversely affected by the engagement
of any person in an act or practice that violates this
section, the attorney general of the State may, as parens
patriae, bring a civil action on behalf of the residents of
the State in an appropriate district court of the United
States to obtain appropriate relief.
(B) Rights of the commission.--
(i) Notice to the commission.--
(I) In general.--Except as provided in subclause (III),
before initiating a civil action under subparagraph (A), the
attorney general of a State shall notify the Commission in
writing that the attorney general intends to bring such civil
action.
(II) Contents.--The notification required by subclause (I)
shall include a copy of the complaint to be filed to initiate
the civil action.
(III) Exception.--If it is not feasible for the attorney
general of a State to provide the notification required by
subclause (I) before initiating a civil action under
subparagraph (A), the attorney general shall notify the
Commission immediately upon instituting the civil action.
(ii) Intervention by the commission.--Upon receiving the
notice required by clause (i)(I), the Commission may
intervene in the civil action and, upon intervening--
(I) be heard on all matters arising in the civil action;
and
(II) file petitions for appeal of a decision in the civil
action.
(C) Limitation on state action while federal action is
pending.--If the Commission has instituted a civil action for
a violation of this section or a regulation promulgated under
this section, no attorney general of a State may bring an
action under subparagraph (A) during the pendency of that
action against any defendant named in the complaint of the
Commission for any violation of this section or a regulation
promulgated under this section alleged in the complaint.
(D) Rule of construction.--For purposes of bringing a civil
action under this subsection, nothing in this subsection may
be construed to prevent the attorney general of a State from
exercising the powers conferred on the attorney general by
the laws of the State to conduct investigations, to
administer oaths or affirmations, or to compel the attendance
of witnesses or the production of documentary or other
evidence.
(E) Actions by other state officials.--In addition to a
civil action brought by an attorney general under
subparagraph (A), any other consumer protection officer of a
State who is authorized by the State to do so may bring a
civil action under subparagraph (A), subject to the same
requirements and limitations that apply under this paragraph
to a civil action brought by an attorney general.
(c) One National Standard.--
(1) In general.--A State, or political subdivision thereof,
may not maintain, enforce, prescribe, or continue in effect a
provision of any law, rule, regulation, requirement, or
standard having the force and effect of law of the State, or
political subdivision of the State, that requires an online
dating service provider to notify, prohibits an online dating
service provider from notifying, or otherwise affects the
manner in which an online dating service provider is required
or permitted to notify, a member of the online dating service
that the member has received a message from or sent a message
to a member whose account or profile on the online dating
service is the subject of a fraud ban through the online
dating service.
(2) Rule of construction.--This subsection may not be
construed to preempt any law of a State or political
subdivision of a State relating to contracts or torts.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Banned member.--The term ``banned member'' means a
member of an online dating service whose account or profile
on the online dating service is the subject of a fraud ban.
(2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal
Trade Commission.
(3) Fraud ban.--The term ``fraud ban'' means the
termination or suspension of the account or profile of a
member of an online dating service because, in the judgment
of the online dating service provider, there is a significant
risk the member will attempt to obtain cash or another form
of currency from another member through fraudulent means.
(4) Member.--The term ``member'' means an individual who--
(A) submits to an online dating service provider the
information required by the provider to establish an account
or profile on the online dating service; and
(B) is allowed by the provider to establish such an account
or profile.
(5) Online dating service.--The term ``online dating
service'' means a service that--
(A) is provided through a website or a mobile application;
and
(B) offers members access to dating or romantic
relationships with other members by arranging or facilitating
the social introduction of members.
(6) Online dating service provider.--The term ``online
dating service provider'' means a person engaged in the
business of offering an online dating service.
(7) State.--The term ``State'' means each State of the
United States, the District of Columbia, each commonwealth,
territory, or possession of the United States, and each
federally recognized Indian Tribe.
(e) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the
date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
General Leave
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material in the Record on this particular bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
[[Page H2850]]
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2481, the Romance Scam
Prevention Act, led by Representative Valadao. This legislation would
require online dating platforms to notify users when they have
interacted with someone who has been removed from the platform for
fraudulent activity.
Online dating platforms have been around for over 30 years, and they
continue to grow in popularity. While they can help people connect,
their accessibility and digital format have also created new risks,
unfortunately.
The FTC, the Federal Trade Commission, reported that romance scams
lost victims $1.3 billion in 2022. I have constituents who were
victims, unfortunately. Many of those affected were elderly individuals
who lost their retirement savings. What a shame.
By requiring a fraud ban notification, we can put a stop to these
senseless scams and protect vulnerable consumers.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of
H.R. 2481, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 2481, the Romance
Scam Prevention Act.
As more consumers report using online dating services, it is
important that they are made aware of potential harms. This bill
ensures that when an online dating service bans a user for fraud, it
notifies all the other users who have been in contact with that banned
person on the service. This will help to reduce the number of people
who fall victim to identified fraudsters looking to extort money from
dating app users.
{time} 1445
Mr. Speaker, this bill is an important first step in addressing harm
in the online dating space. However, there is a lot more to be done,
and vulnerable consumers need a strong and independent Federal Trade
Commission to prosecute fraudsters and scammers and to protect them
from having their emotions exploited for financial gain.
I encourage my Republican colleagues to support this legislation as
well as the bipartisan FTC that ensures consumer protection measures
like this one are fully and fairly enforced for all Americans. I thank
Representatives Pettersen and Valadao for their leadership on this
legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from the great State of California (Mr. Valadao), a very
effective Member of Congress.
Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge support for my bill, the
Romance Scam Prevention Act. Every year, millions of Americans from all
ages and backgrounds use dating apps and websites to make connections.
For many, online dating has made it easier to build relationships.
Unfortunately, there are countless stories of criminals using these
sites for fraudulent activity.
While it is sadly common to see users lie about things like their age
and occupation, romance scammers use fake profiles to develop
connections and emotionally or financially exploit unsuspecting users.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost over $1.1
billion in 2023 alone, with senior citizens being the age group most at
risk.
There have been countless stories of people being conned out of their
entire life savings, all because they believed they had found love
online. People who meet online often take their conversations to other
communication platforms and might not know that they are talking to
someone who has been removed from the original dating app.
This bill requires dating platforms to issue fraud ban notifications
to users who have interacted with an account who has been removed for
fraudulent activity.
As criminals are becoming more sophisticated when it comes to
exploiting victims online, it is time to put safeguards in place to
protect users from financial fraud.
I thank Chairman Guthrie and his staff at the Committee on Energy and
Commerce for their work on this important bill, as well as my co-leads,
Representatives Brittany Pettersen, Tom Suozzi, and Craig Goldman.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I will close by saying I do think this is
an important bill for avoiding fraud. I am very concerned about fraud
on these dating service apps. I commend Mr. Valadao for bringing this
forward, and I urge everyone to support the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this
particular bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 2481.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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