Kings County Times

Congressman David Valadao has presented the Romance Scam Prevention Act, aiming to enhance security on online dating platforms. He is joined by Reps. Brittany Pettersen, Tom Suozzi, and Craig Goldman in promoting the bill. Supporting senators Marsha Blackburn and John Hickenlooper introduced the companion bill in the Senate.

Valadao explained the need for the bill by saying, “Online dating has become an increasingly common way for people to connect, but unfortunately, it’s also a tool for scammers looking to take advantage of unsuspecting users.” He emphasized the financial impact, noting that romance scams have led to Americans losing over a billion dollars annually.

Pettersen highlighted the current regulatory gap, saying, “Dating apps are still a new frontier for criminals and scammers...regulations are lagging behind.” She believes the bill will improve the safety of online dating.

Suozzi pointed out the broader context of digital-based exploitation, stating, “The exploitation of users on online dating apps is emblematic of the dark side of the digital age.” He mentioned the responsibility of lawmakers to curb such fraudulent activities.

Goldman provided some historical context, pointing out that more than 60 million Americans used online dating services in 2023. He expressed pride in supporting the bill, which seeks stricter security measures by online dating services.

The Federal Trade Commission reported losses of over $1.1 billion due to romance scams in 2023. The tactic of scammers involves creating fake identities to manipulate and financially exploit unsuspecting users. Once identified, fraudulent accounts are usually deactivated by service providers, but scammers often continue communication through different platforms.

The bill mandates fraud ban notifications, already operational in some states, including Vermont and New York. These notifications do not interfere with active law enforcement investigations.