Once February rolls around, many of us start getting romantic in anticipation of Valentine’s Day. If you’re currently without a partner, you may be feeling particularly lonesome this time of year. You may be actively looking online for someone to spend the 14th with. However, romance scams are becoming more common, so you’ve got to keep your guard up. Don’t let romance scams break your heart this Valentine’s Day.
What Are Romance Scams?
According to the Federal Trade Commission, more than 64,000 Americans fell victim to romance scams in 2023. These scams cost victims over $1.14 billion dollars in losses. Romance scams are scams that generally involve online dating, the most common being catfishing. A catfish is where someone creates a fictional online persona in hopes of luring someone into a relationship. Once the scammer has the other party “hooked”, they will ask for money or gift cards. Because the scammer has formed a romantic bond with their victim, it’s often much easier for them to acquire gifts.
Spot The Warning Signs
- The biggest red flag that you’re being catfished is when your online love interest always has an excuse why they can’t meet or video chat. As much as they claim they want to meet you, something always comes up.
- Look for unusual grammar or spelling. Oftentimes, romance scammers will be from other countries where English isn’t their first language. Poor grammar can be a clue that the person on the other end of the conversation isn’t who they say they are.
- If the person becomes serious extremely quickly or they are overly complimentary, this can be a red flag. Scammers want to “hook” you as quickly as possible. Don’t let someone rush you in to anything.
Tips For Avoiding Romance Scams
- NEVER, EVER give money to someone you don’t know in real life. If you’ve never met, don’t give them money. You may think that you know them, or that you’re in love. Still, don’t send a stranger money.
- Do some vetting on the person you’re speaking with. A simple Google search for their name and another piece of information (college attended, job, hometown) can provide you with more information than you might think.
- Use Google Reverse Image Search to investigate any images your potential match has provided you with. This search will show you where the images appear on the internet. If you were given an image that shows up in many places and/or places that don’t make sense, it most likely isn’t really their picture.
- Never give out your personal information to strangers. If you’re dating online, be vague about your details. Once you meet in person, then you can get more in-depth.
- Sign up with an identity theft restoration service before you become a victim of identity theft.
Online dating opens you up to a much larger pool of potential suitors than you’d normally have available. Unfortunately, it also opens you up to the possibility of being scammed. Don’t let romance scams break your heart this Valentine’s Day.
