Memphis Standard

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee has introduced the Romance Scam Prevention Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at protecting senior citizens from scams on dating apps. The proposed legislation mandates that dating services notify users who have interacted with individuals removed for fraudulent activities.

Senator Blackburn emphasized the vulnerability of seniors on these platforms, stating, “Scammers are merciless in their exploitation of senior citizens who join dating apps to establish meaningful connections but instead end up losing their life savings to con artists who prey on their vulnerabilities.” She added that the act is intended to provide critical safeguards for all users, especially seniors.

The issue has grown significantly in recent years, with digital romance scams targeting recently widowed or divorced seniors due to their perceived susceptibility and financial resources. In 2023 alone, Tennesseans over 60 lost $43 million to such scams—a notable increase from previous years. Nationally, the Federal Trade Commission reported $1.3 billion lost in romance scams during 2022.

Senator John Hickenlooper of Colorado co-sponsored the bill alongside Representative David Valadao of California, who is leading its introduction in the House. Representative Valadao remarked on the dual nature of online dating as both a means for connection and a tool for fraudsters: “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 underscored that this legislation seeks transparency and user empowerment against financial fraud.

As online relationships often move beyond initial platforms, communication gaps can leave users unaware they are still interacting with fraudulent accounts even after removal by service providers. The Romance Scam Prevention Act aims to address this by ensuring notifications are sent out under such circumstances.