Bipartisan Bill Co-Led by Suozzi to Protect Americans from Online Dating Scams Signed Into Law

October 21, 2026

Press Release

Washington, D.C.-President Trump yesterday signed into law the bipartisan Romance Scam Prevention Act, co-led by Congressman Suozzi, which requires online dating platforms to inform users when they have interacted with someone banned for fraud. The bill will equip potential victims with essential information to help them avoid financial or emotional exploitation before it happens. Congressman Suozzi co-led this measure in the House alongside Reps. Valadao (R-CA), Pettersen (D-CO), and Goldman (R-TX). The Senate companion was led by Senators Blackburn (R-TN) and Hickenlooper (D-CO). This is the second Suozzi-led bill cracking down on online exploitation that President Trump has signed into law this Congress after the TAKE IT DOWN Act became law in May 2025.

"As technology changes faster than ever, criminals are finding new ways to use it to exploit Americans," said Congressman Suozzi. "Dating apps have become a new frontier for scammers looking to manipulate people and steal their money. Congress must keep up. This commonsense law ensures users know when anyone they've interacted with on a dating app has been removed for fraudulent activity, giving them the information they need to protect themselves. I'm proud that Republicans and Democrats in both the House and the Senate, and the President of the United States, came together to get this done."

Frauds perpetrated through online dating platforms, including apps and websites, often don't end when the scammer is removed from the platform, especially if the conversations have moved to text messages, phone calls, or social media. Under this new law, potential victims will be alerted when anyone they have communicated with through a dating platform is removed for fraud, to ensure they know to stop communicating with the scammer and protect themselves from being swindled. The bill mandates that these notifications include clear warnings against sending money or other personal information to users for further protection.

This bill addresses an essential, expensive issue. In 2023, more than 60 million Americans used an online dating service. That same year, the Federal Trade Commission reported that "romance scams" resulted in the loss of more than $1.1 billion.

Suozzi helped lead the Romance Scam Prevention Act through Congress, working across the aisle to crack down on an emerging and dangerous type of online fraud. The bill builds on Suozzi's work to root out waste, fraud, and abuse online. He is also a co-lead of the bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act, which was signed into law in May 2025 and established federal protections against the nonconsensual spread of intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes. Both the Romance Scam Prevention Act and TAKE IT DOWN Act were endorsed by the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, where Suozzi serves as the Democratic Co-Chair.

"I'm extremely proud to see my bill, the Romance Scam Prevention Act, signed into law. Millions of Americans use online dating platforms to find meaningful relationships, making these platforms a target for scammers looking to exploit unsuspecting victims and take advantage of them financially. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation is an important step toward strengthening protections against online scams, and I'm grateful to everyone who worked to get this bill across the finish line and help keep Americans safe online," said Congressman Valadao.

"Romance scammers stole almost $1.5 billion from innocent Americans in 2025 alone, turning online dating platforms into a tool for fraud. I'm proud to co-lead Rep. Valadao's bipartisan Romance Scam Prevention Act, which has now passed both the House and Senate. By requiring online dating sites to alert users when they've interacted with someone removed for fraud, this bill helps stop scammers before they can steal another American's hard-earned money," said Congressman Goldman.

"Scammers prey on Americans looking for companionship, exploiting their trust and, in too many cases, stealing their life savings. The Romance Scam Prevention Act will put critical safeguards in place to protect all dating app users - but especially senior citizens - from fraudulent schemes. I am pleased to see President Trump sign this important legislation into law and take action to protect Americans from romance scams," said Senator Blackburn.

"People turn to dating apps looking for love and connection, not to get scammed. Our bill puts real safeguards in place that will protect all dating app users, especially senior citizens, from harmful, fraudulent schemes. We're glad to see our safeguards become law," said Senator Hickenlooper.

Read the full bill here.