Love or Lies: Romance Scams 101

In today’s digital world, finding love online has become increasingly common. Unfortunately, it has also become a goldmine for scammers looking to exploit people’s emotions and finances. Romance scams are designed to build trust, create an emotional connection, and eventually trick victims into sending money all under the pretense of love. Read on to learn how to recognize, avoid, and protect yourself from falling victim to these predators:

What is a Romance Scam?

According to the FBI, a romance scam occurs when a criminal uses a fake online identity to gain a victim's affection and trust. These scammers typically operate on dating websites, apps, or even social media platforms. The thief then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate and/or steal from the victim. Once they’ve gained trust, they manipulate their victims into sending money under false pretenses, such as medical emergencies, travel costs, or business opportunities.

Signs of a Romance Scam

• Accelerated emotions: The scammers will often express their feelings and affections quickly, most claiming they are in love after only a handful of interactions. Be wary of anyone rushing you into a friendship or relationship too soon.
• No in-person meetings: Most of the time, the con artists will claim to work in the construction industry, where their job has taken them overseas. This makes it easier for them to use as an excuse for why they can't meet in person. This also allows a convenient avenue to ask for money once they've become "stranded." Another common tactic is using family, medical, and other emergencies as a cop-out.
• Requests for money: Romance scams ALWAYS involve a point where the scammer asks the victim for money. This could be in the guise of a medical emergency that the victim can't pay for, needing money to help get them back home or running into legal trouble. These payment requests typically include gift cards, wire transfers, and/or cryptocurrency — all methods that are hard to trace or recover.
• Inconsistent Stories: These con artists will keep the details of their stories vague, or you may notice that their stories change entirely. Most of the time, the photos they use can be found to be stolen by performing a Google image reverse search.

Protect Yourself

1. Be skeptical of overly charming strangers
   • We say this often — if someone or something seems too good to be trouble, it likely is. Fraudsters will often craft the perfect persona to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims.
2. Verify their identity
   • Use reverse image search to verify their photo is authentic to them. If you find that the image came back to a profile featuring another name, it's likely that the scammer stole the photo and is using it on their own profile.
3. Avoid sharing personal information
   • Always be cautious of what you post online. Oftentimes, these criminals will look at social media accounts to learn more about you and aid them in targeting you. Do not share sensitive information like your address, financial information, or sensitive information/photos that could be used against you later.
4. Never (ever, ever, ever) send money
   • Never send money to someone you have only spoken to online or by phone. Most legitimate partners would not ask for financial help early into a relationship, especially in the form of gift cards. Be cautious of any story that is meant to pull at your heartstrings in order for you to send money.

Do You Suspect A Romance Scam?

If you think you are a victim of a romance scam, cut off contact immediately. Report the scammer via the platform you met or communicated on, and submit a report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). If money was sent, contact your financial institution immediately to report the transaction.

Romance scams can be emotionally and financially devastating, but awareness is your best defense. By recognizing the warning signs and taking proactive measures, you can protect yourself and others from becoming victims. If you have been a victim of a romance scam, consider sharing your story to help spread awareness to others.