Bill
S 841
Requires U.S. dating platforms to notify users after contact with a banned scam account, listing the account, last message time, fraud warning, safety tips, and support contact.
Status (federal bill)
- Introduced in the U.S. Senate: March 4, 2025
- Referred to: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
- Committee action: Reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute (S. Rept. 119‑58) — ordered printed September 2, 2025; placed on Senate Legislative Calendar (Calendar No. 145)
- Hearing scheduled: July 1, 2025 (Gardner Auditorium)
- Sponsors: Sen. Marsha Blackburn (primary) and Sen. John Hickenlooper (cosponsor)
- Related/companion measures: H.R. 2481 (companion)
Note on document variations
- The package provided included multiple distinct texts labeled S. 841 (a federal Romance Scam Prevention Act and an unrelated Massachusetts state bill with the same number). This summary addresses the federal S. 841 described in S. Rept. 119‑58 (Romance Scam Prevention Act).
Purpose and policy goal
- To reduce financial harm from online romance/imposter scams by requiring online dating service providers to notify members when they have communicated with an account that the provider has banned for suspected fraud.
Key provisions
- Fraud ban notification required:
- When a member has received a message from a banned account, the dating service must send that member a “fraud ban notification.”
- Required contents of the notification:
- The username or profile identifier of the banned account and the most recent time the member sent/received messages to/from that account.
- A statement that the banned account may have been using a false identity or attempting to defraud members.
- A warning not to send cash, other currency, or personal financial information.
- Information or links to best practices for avoiding online fraud.
- Contact information for the provider’s customer service.
- Manner and timing:
- Notifications must be clear and conspicuous and sent by email, text, or other agreed means.
- Default timing: within 24 hours of initiating the fraud ban.
- Provider judgment: may delay up to 3 days if circumstances require.
- Law enforcement request: provider may delay beyond those periods at the request of law enforcement for ongoing investigations; provider must notify within 3 days after the end of the requested delay (including extensions).
- Limitation of liability:
- Providers are not civilly liable for (a) the communication method used to send notifications, (b) the timing of the notifications, or (c) the information disclosed in the notifications.
- Enforcement:
- Violations are treated as unfair or deceptive acts/practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act (section 18(a)(1)(B)).
- The FTC enforces the statute with the same powers/penalties as under the FTC Act; nothing limits other FTC authorities.
- State attorneys general may bring parens patriae civil actions on behalf of residents, subject to required notice to the FTC and the FTC’s right to intervene.
Who is affected
- Directly: online dating service providers operating in the U.S. (platforms that host dating profiles and messaging).
- Beneficiaries: dating service members (users), especially populations heavily targeted by romance scams (older adults, veterans).
- Indirectly: law enforcement agencies, state attorneys general, and the FTC (enforcement responsibilities).
Context and expected impact
- Motivated by large and growing losses to romance scams (reporting cites tens of thousands of victims and roughly $1B+ annual losses in recent years).
- The bill aims to interrupt fraud by alerting potential victims promptly when contact is linked to a banned/scammer account, encouraging safer behavior and reporting.
- Provider liability protection and limited delay authority for law enforcement seek to balance consumer warning with investigative needs.
Procedural next steps
- Following committee report (Sept. 2, 2025), the measure appears on the Senate calendar for consideration under general orders; floor action would be the next step unless further committee or amendment activity occurs.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
