Romance scams: US dating apps will have to warn users about fraudsters

Dating apps and services in the United States will have to actively warn their users about romance scammers. The Romance Scam Prevention Act became law on Oct. 20, 2026, with President Donald Trump's signature, according to Ripon Advance, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and the trade publication American Banker. The bipartisan bill was introduced in the House by Republican David Valadao and backed in the Senate by Marsha Blackburn and John Hickenlooper, where it passed unanimously in late September. The new obligations for platforms take effect one year after signing, in October 2027.

Under the law, platforms must notify every user who received a message from an account later banned for fraud, generally within 24 hours of the ban. The notice must identify the profile, state when the user last had contact with it and warn that the person may have used a false identity. It must also include fraud-prevention advice and a warning not to send money or financial information. Enforcement lies with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general. According to American Banker, at least four states already have similar rules: Vermont, Arizona, Utah and New York.

The scale of the problem is considerable. FTC figures cited by American Banker show consumers in the US reported $1.48 billion in romance-scam losses in 2025, up 22% from 2024; according to ICIJ, there were more than 70,000 reports. Nearly 60% of those who reported losses said the scam began on social media. "Dating apps have become a new frontier for scammers looking to manipulate people and steal their money," Rep. Tom Suozzi said, according to a release from Valadao's office. A Match Group spokesperson, whose company owns Tinder and Hinge, welcomed "a national standard" in comments to American Banker but said romance scams are a societal problem that no company can solve alone.