Romance Scam Prevention Act Targets Dating App Fraudsters
The Romance Scam Prevention Act requires dating apps to alert users about banned scam contacts.
Why it matters: Why it matters: Legal and compliance teams must prepare for new federal rules requiring transparency and fraud warnings on dating platforms, enhancing consumer protections against costly romance scams.
- Signed into law on October 20, 2026, with enforcement beginning October 20, 2027.
- Dating apps must notify users if they've interacted with banned fraudsters, including scammer ID and safety advice.
- Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general will enforce compliance.
- The law aims to reduce romance scams, which caused nearly $1.5 billion in losses in 2025.
The Romance Scam Prevention Act was signed into law on October 20, 2026, addressing the rise of romance scams that resulted in nearly $1.5 billion in losses nationwide in 2025, according to the Federal Trade Commission's recent enforcement announcement. Romance scams typically involve fraudsters creating fake profiles to exploit users emotionally and financially.
The law requires dating platforms to notify users if they have communicated with contacts banned for fraudulent behavior. Notifications must include the scammer's identifier, an explicit warning about the fraud risk, tips on avoiding scams, and customer support contact details. While the legislation does not explicitly define the criteria for banning users, it hinges on previously verified fraudulent conduct.
Enforcement responsibility lies with the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general, who will monitor compliance and pursue violations. Platforms have a one-year compliance period, with the Act taking effect on October 20, 2027.
Senator Marsha Blackburn emphasized the consumer impact, saying, "Scammers prey on Americans looking for companionship, exploiting their trust," while Senator John Hickenlooper noted, "People turn to dating apps looking for love and connection, not to get scammed." Their bipartisan advocacy underscored the law’s importance in combating the escalating fraud problem.
Older adults are disproportionately affected. For example, Tennesseans aged 60 and over lost $43 million to scams in 2023, as noted in numerous state consumer reports. This legislation marks a critical step in mandating platform accountability and providing safer online environments for vulnerable users.
By the numbers:
- $1.5 billion — estimated romance scam losses in 2025
- October 20, 2026 — date the Act was signed into law
- October 20, 2027 — Act’s effective date for dating app compliance
Yes, but: The law does not specify exact criteria for banning fraudulent users, leaving some ambiguity in platform enforcement policies.
What's next: FTC and state attorneys general are expected to issue detailed compliance guidelines before the law takes effect in October 2027.