Online dating is on the rise and scammers are finding new ways to trick those who are looking for love. These con artists are usually looking for someone to send them money after establishing a relationship on a dating site, app, or chat room. If you’re looking for love and want to stay safe, we have a few tips to help you identify and avoid an online romance scam, as well as information on what to do if you mistakenly send money to a scammer.
What is a romance scam?
Romance scams occur when a scammer creates a fake online identity to gain a victim’s liking and trust. The criminal will use this false relationship built on affection to manipulate and even steal from their victims.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumers reported losing $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023. The FTC reported median losses per person amounted to $2,000, the highest reported losses for any imposter scam. Scammers are getting more creative as they build trust with their targets, so it’s important to identify any potential red flags online.
In addition to creating a fake profile, many scammers will elaborate lies about where they live, who they work for, and even what they look like. Once a rapport is built with their targets, scammers could ask for money to pay for medical bills, family hardship, or for a plane ticket or other travel expenses. Some will even convince their target enough to send them lavish gifts in the form of cash or valuable items without ever revealing their true identity.
Avoiding a scam
If a love interest asks for money, they may ask you to send it in a form of a gift card, online money transfer, or cryptocurrency. A simple rule to follow when dating online: Never send money or gifts to someone that you have not met in person.
Some easy ways to spot a fake profile is by analyzing the user’s pictures, or lack thereof. Having one or two photos may be a sign that the scammer is withholding information, as well as posting pictures that look too perfect, such as a stock photo. You can always do a reverse image search of the person’s profile picture to see if it’s connected to any other names or profiles online.
If you are engaging in conversation with a potential scammer, look for signs such as not wanting to share pictures or information about themselves, nonsensical messages, or being too forward or flirty. Never share your personal information including your last name, location, or place of employment, as scammers may use this against you.
Pass Along These Tips
You may not be online dating, but you might know a friend or family member who is. While all age groups are vulnerable, older adults are often targeted by scammers because they typically have more assets and are less familiar with online dating. If you have a parent, grandparent or loved one you are concerned about, share these tips with them or offer to help them look into anything they’re unsure about.
Reporting a scam
If you suspect that a new love interest has malicious intentions, make sure to report them to the dating site or app you are using. If you suspect you have mistakenly sent money to a scammer, immediately contact your bank or the company that you used to send the money. Make sure to report your experience to the FTC.
Learn more about imposter scams and ways to avoid them by visiting FTC.gov/ImposterScams