Jul 31, 2024
Millions of people use social sites to meet people. Unfortunately, many people find scammers instead of romance.
You may meet someone special, and soon, they want to email or message you off the platform to build trust. They say it’s true love, but they live far away - perhaps for work or other reasons. Then they start asking for money. Maybe it’s for a plane ticket to visit you, emergency medical care or something else urgent.
Romance scammers are experts at what they do and appear genuine, caring and believable. To manipulate and steal from the victim, the scammer creates the illusion of a romantic or close relationship.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, the bottom line is never to send money or gifts to a sweetheart you haven’t met in person.
Here are some other tips to avoid falling victim to these scams:
- You should be careful what you post and make public. Scammers can use social media and dating sites to better understand and target you.
- Use online searches to check the person’s photo and profile to determine whether the image, name, or other details have been used elsewhere.
- Ask lots of questions and go slowly.
- Beware if the individual attempts to isolate you from friends and family or requests inappropriate photos or financial information that could later be used to extort you.
- Talk to someone you trust. Are your friends or family concerned about your new love interest?
- Stop communicating with the person if you suspect a romance scam
- Never send money to anyone you have only communicated with online or by phone.
If you suspect a scam, notify local law enforcement officials and report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
