H.R. 2481 — Romance Scam Prevention Act

This section requires online dating service providers to send a fraud ban notification to any member who receives a message from a banned member, disclosing the banned member's username or profile identifier, the most recent interaction time, warnings of possible fraud or false identity, advice against sending money or financial information, best practices to avoid scams (e.g., via link), and customer service contacts. Notifications must be clear and conspicuous via email, text message, or consented means, provided within 24 hours of the ban (or up to 3 days if delayed by provider judgment or law enforcement request during an investigation). It provides a safe harbor from liability for compliance and treats violations as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the FTC Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)), enforceable by the FTC with full FTC Act powers. It further authorizes state attorneys general to bring parens patriae civil actions (with prior notice to the FTC, which may intervene), but prohibits state actions during pending FTC enforcement.