United StatesStarting October 20, 2027, dating services must warn users after fraud bans
Starting October 20, 2027, dating services must warn users who got messages from people the services banned over a serious risk of seeking money through fraud.
What it does
Starting October 20, 2027, dating services must warn users who received messages from someone they banned because they judged that person a serious risk of seeking money through fraud.
Starting October 20, 2027, alerts are usually due within 24 hours of a ban. Services may wait until three days after the ban day if they judge it necessary; law enforcement officials can require longer delays during an investigation.
Starting October 20, 2027, dating services cannot be held liable to current, banned, or former members for claims based on steps they take to follow the fraud alert rule.
Starting October 20, 2027, the Federal Trade Commission must enforce these rules. State attorneys general may also sue when violations threaten or harm residents, with limits while a federal case is pending.
Starting October 20, 2027, states and local governments cannot set their own rules for alerts about messages with accounts banned over suspected fraud. Laws about contracts and lawsuits for harm still apply.
Argument forAlerts could help users spot a possible scam and avoid sending money to someone banned over a significant risk of trying to get money through fraud.
Argument againstStates could lose the ability to require faster or more detailed warnings for residents after a dating service bans an account over suspected fraud.
More detail
Dating services must warn users who received messages from banned members. This covers sites and apps that connect members for dating. The service must judge that the banned person poses a serious risk of seeking money through fraud. The alert must identify the profile and most recent message time, warn against sending money or financial details, offer safety tips, and give customer service contact information. It must flag possible deception when applicable. The warning requirement takes effect October 20, 2027.
Services must usually send a fraud ban warning within 24 hours after starting the ban. The deadline applies when a user received a message from the banned account. If a service judges a delay necessary, it must send the alert no later than three days after the ban day. A law enforcement official can require a longer delay for an ongoing investigation, and the service cannot send the alert during that delay. After a law enforcement official’s requested delay, including any extension, ends, the alert is due within three days.
Dating services cannot be held liable for certain claims over required fraud alerts. This covers claims by current members, banned members, and former members. The claim must be based on steps the service took to follow the alert requirements. This protection takes effect October 20, 2027.
The Federal Trade Commission must enforce the rule, and state attorneys general may sue over violations. A state attorney general may seek relief when there is reason to believe a violation harms or threatens residents' interests. A state attorney general cannot bring a case against the same defendant for the same alleged violation while a federal case is pending. These enforcement provisions take effect October 20, 2027.
States and local governments may not keep or make laws that control these fraud ban alerts. This covers alerts about messages sent to or received from someone whose dating account was banned over suspected fraud. State and local laws about contracts and lawsuits for harm still apply. This restriction takes effect October 20, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Oct 20Signed by President.Became Law
- Oct 20Became Public Law No: 119-129.Minor
- Oct 14Presented to President.To President
- Sep 24Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Sep 23Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4902)Passed Senate
- Jun 17Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 438.
- 2025
- Jun 24Received in the Senate.
- Jun 23Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Jun 23Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2848-2850)
- Jun 23DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2481.
- Jun 23Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2848-2849)Passed House
- Jun 23Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Jun 12Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-153.
- Jun 12Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 119.
- Apr 8Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Apr 8Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- Mar 31Introduced in House
- Mar 31Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.Introduced
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