Romance scams have been around for centuries but the number of victims has recently greatly increased with internet and dating apps. As you look for love online, be cautious and question any Romeo or Juliet who is asking for money. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), people reported $547 million in losses to romance scams in 2021. With romance scams on a dramatic rise from years past, it’s important to be aware of what romance scams are and how you can avoid and report the scammers before they take advantage of you or a family member.
Avoiding romance scams:
- Take things slow. Do not get in a hurry when you meet someone online. Give the relationship time to unfold naturally.
- Don’t move the communication away from the original site. Scammers ask their victims to move their conversations to other platforms like WhatsApp or Google Chat within the first couple of interactions. Scammers prefer to use these apps to keep their fake dating profile from being reported on the dating site.
- Avoid answering questions that are too personal. Scammers ask a lot of personal questions to get to know their victims but they rarely answer personal questions themselves. Avoid answering personal questions.
- Be wary of terms of endearment like my love, honey, babe and dear too early in relationship. Romance scammers mass market their frauds to hundreds of people at a time; using terms of endearment means they don’t have to keep track of each victim’s name. Scammers also use these words to establish romantic bonds quickly.
- Ask to meet in person. Many romance scammers use fake profile photos and information, or they may reside out-of-state or outside the United States. Resistance to in-person meetings should be a red flag.
- Don’t let money into the relationship. Establishing a sincere relationship with someone doesn’t involve giving or lending money. Do not share account numbers, debit cards, gift cards, money orders or any other form of money online.
- Let family and friends know about any new relationships. Family and friends can be a great sounding board when a situation could be a scam. Often times scammers do not want you to tell others about your relationship because they know that others will see through the scam.
Approaching loved ones:
When you suspect that a family member is the target of a romance scam, how can you help? First, have an open and honest conversation with them. Next, ensure that all communication with the scammer is stopped and find out what personal information was shared with the scammer. Finally, alert authorities and the victim’s financial institution to the situation. Close any accounts or cards that were given to the scammer and start the process of opening new accounts. Family members may need emotional support during this time; be empathetic to their feelings of embarrassment or fear.
Reporting the romance scam:
It can be devastating to realize you’ve fallen victim to a romance scam but reporting the loss to the authorities and your financial institution may help prevent further losses, or even trace money back to the scammers. Report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (ReportFraud.ftc.gov) and FBI (Internet Crime Complaint Center(IC3) | File a Complaint). Have courage, be bold and take a stand to prevent future romance scams. Remain aware of tactics romances scammers use to manipulate their victims and think twice before sharing personal and financial details online.
