Protect Your Heart & Wallet This Valentine's Day

We’re in the thick of the season of love, which means an uptick in romance scams. As the number of people searching for love online increases, so do the scammers, costing victims millions of dollars each year. But knowledge is power, and it can help keep you and your loved ones safe.
 

The Romance Scam Basics

Let’s start with the nuts and bolts. Romance scammers tend to use fake profiles with stolen photos on dating apps and social media platforms to trick victims into thinking they’re someone they’re not. Their goal is to build emotional connections, making their targets feel special and understood before asking for money. Often, these criminals aren’t even in the same country and may be running multiple scams at the same time.
 

Recognizing Red Flags

Because these scammers tend to use similar tactics, there are prominent red flags you can defend against.

They profess strong feelings unusually fast. Scammers often declare love within days or weeks. While everyone moves at their own pace, be cautious if someone is pushing for rapid emotional intimacy.

They avoid in-person meetings or video chats. There's always an excuse: a broken camera, a poor internet connection, or a meet-up that never happens. Make a video call non-negotiable early in your conversations. If the person who claims to love you consistently refuses, that's a major red flag.

Their profile seems too good to be true. Professional-quality photos, an impressive career, and a seemingly perfect life might indicate a fake profile. Use reverse image search tools, such as Google Images, to check whether their photos appear elsewhere online.

They claim to be overseas for work. Common cover stories include serving in the military, working on an oil rig, or being a doctor abroad. While these are legitimate professions, scammers use them because they provide built-in excuses for not meeting in person or on video chat. Do your research and be skeptical.

They want to move conversations off the platform quickly. Dating platforms have built-in security measures. That’s why scammers prefer private email, text, or messaging apps where there's no oversight. It’s best to keep your chat on the original platform.

They ask for money, gift cards, or financial help. Requests might start small, like help with a phone bill, but escalate to larger amounts for emergencies or travel expenses. Rule of thumb: never send money to someone you haven't met in person. 

Their stories don't add up. Pay attention to inconsistencies in the information they share, like family details or daily activities. When juggling multiple victims, scammers tend to slip up by providing contradictory information.
 

Protecting Your Loved Ones

If you're concerned that someone in your life is being scammed, approach the conversation with empathy. The emotions they're experiencing are real, even if the person on the other end is not who they claim to be. Choose a private, calm moment to share your specific concerns without making accusations. Instead of saying "You're being scammed," try "I've noticed some things that worry me, and I care about you.” And offer practical help, like verifying the person's identity using reverse image searches. 

Now is the time to provide support rather than ultimatums. People who are being scammed often feel embarrassed or refuse to believe the truth, causing them to react defensively at first. Consistency and patience may help them see the situation clearly.
 

Listen To Your Instincts

Trust your gut. If something feels off about an online relationship, there’s likely cause for concern. Stay vigilant, ask questions, share with someone you trust, and never hesitate to reach out to us. 

You’re not alone. Our dedicated fraud team is focused on one thing: keeping your information and money safe! If you fear you’re a victim of fraud, call us right away. The faster you report it, the better chance of mitigating the damage and keeping your information and money safe.