Submitted by CEFCU
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner – a day dedicated to love and romance. Unfortunately, it can also be a time when scammers try to take advantage of people looking for love – sometimes it even seems like a celebrity is looking for a romantic relationship! But if the person on the other end sounds too good to be true, there’s usually a catch, right?
Be Cautious When Pursuing a Romance Initiated Online
Tens of thousands of people in the United States fall victim to romance scams every year, and with easy access to countless online dating websites and apps, along with social media platforms, there is no shortage of opportunities to start a romance with someone you met online. On the flip side, there are also fake dating websites that can be easy to mistake as legitimate. Another common romance scam is when a con artist offers to become your “sugar momma” or “sugar daddy” and pay your bills with no expectation in return, but it’s really a way to trick victims out of money.
There Are Ways to Easily Spot Romance Scam (rose) Red Flags
- Do your research before you sign up for an online dating website or app. Do an internet search of the dating website’s name along with the words “reviews” and “scams.” Be looking for negative reports or past users who suspect the website is fake.
- Ask specific questions about details given in a profile. A scammer may stumble over remembering details or making a story fit.
- Research your date first. Many scammers steal photos from the internet to use in their dating profiles. You can do a reverse image lookup using a website, like Google Images, to see if the photos on a profile are stolen from somewhere else.
- Never send money or sensitive personal information to a stranger you’ve met online. Cut off contact immediately if someone asks you for financial or personally identifiable information, like your credit card, bank account, social security, or other government ID numbers.
- Talk to someone in your life that you trust. Pay attention if they express their suspicions and concern of someone you met online and have started a romantic relationship with. They have your best interests in mind!
Being on the hunt for love can be a vulnerable time, but it should also be fun and joyful. Don’t let a scammer ruin your happily ever after – be mindful that not everyone you meet online has the best of intentions, even if they sound like your dream partner!
You can protect yourself against scammers by staying up-to-date on common scams. One way to do this is by attending a SeniorCents fraud seminar, hosted by CEFCU. The Credit Union features guest speakers, such as fraud specialists from CEFCU and law enforcement representatives, who share tips on how to protect yourself against common scams.
Follow CEFCU on Facebook for more financial education and to find out about upcoming SeniorCents seminars. And, visit cefcu.com/security to get tips on keeping your information safe!
