H.R. 2481: Romance Scam Prevention Act

This bill, known as the Romance Scam Prevention Act, aims to enhance protections for members of online dating services against fraud. It establishes specific requirements for online dating service providers concerning notifications to users when they encounter members identified as engaging in fraudulent behavior.

Key Provisions

1. Fraud Ban Notification

Online dating service providers will be required to send a fraud ban notification to members if they receive a message from a banned member. This notification must include:

• The username or profile identifier of the banned member, alongside the time when the user last communicated with that member.
• A statement indicating that the banned member may have been attempting to defraud users.
• A warning advising members not to send money or personal financial information to others.
• Information on best practices to avoid online fraud.
• Contact details for customer service at the online dating service.

2. Manner and Timing of Notifications

Notifications must be:

• Clear and easy to understand.
• Sent via email, text message, or other methods agreed upon by the member.
• Provided within 24 hours of the fraud ban, unless extenuating circumstances arise. In such cases, notifications must be sent within 3 days.
• Postponable if requested by law enforcement due to ongoing investigations. In such cases, notifications must still be sent within 3 days of the investigation's conclusion.

3. Liability Protection

Online dating service providers will be shielded from legal claims related to their compliance with these notification requirements.

4. Enforcement Mechanisms

Enforcement of this Act will be handled by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Violations will be treated as breaches of unfair or deceptive practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

5. State Enforcement

State Attorneys General will have the authority to initiate civil actions to protect residents from violations of this act, provided they notify the FTC beforehand.

6. One National Standard

The bill prohibits states from enacting conflicting laws regarding notification requirements, thereby establishing a uniform standard across the nation.

7. Definitions

The bill provides definitions for terms such as "banned member," "fraud ban," "member," and "online dating service provider," clarifying the scope and application of the legislation.

8. Implementation Timeline

The provisions of this bill will take effect one year after it is enacted.

Relevant Companies

• MEET - The operator of an online dating platform which may need to enhance its fraud detection and notification systems to comply with the new requirements.
• TINDER - As a major player in online dating, Tinder may be required to adjust its notification processes and user engagement strategies to mitigate risks associated with banned members.