Trump Signs Romance Scam Prevention Act Into Law

US President Donald Trump signed the Romance Scam Prevention Act into law on 20 October 2026, requiring online dating platforms to notify users when someone they have communicated with is banned for fraudulent activity.

Under the legislation, dating services must generally notify affected users within 24 hours of removing an account for suspected fraud. The notification must identify the banned account, explain the potential risk of fraud, and provide information on how users can protect themselves. The law allows limited exceptions to the notification deadline.

The legislation is intended to prevent romance scammers from continuing to exploit people they have already contacted. Dating platforms will be required to alert users who may have developed relationships with fraudulent accounts, giving them an opportunity to recognise suspicious activity before sending money or sharing sensitive information.

The Federal Trade Commission and state authorities will be responsible for enforcing the new requirements. The legislation follows growing concerns over romance scams, which have caused substantial financial losses among US consumers.