Valentine’s Day is for love, but scammers exploit it. Romance scams are when a scammer creates a fake online identity, such as on a dating site or on social media, to gain a victim's affection, trust, and a relationship. These scammers often seem caring, genuine, and believable, which makes the victim presume that the romance is real.
Red Flags:
- Declares love too fast
- Avoids video calls or meeting in person
- Claims to be overseas or outside of the United States
- Requests money or gift cards and how specifically to send it
Tips to Stay Safe:
- Verify profiles with reverse image searches
- NEVER send money or provide any personal information
- Talk to someone you trust
- Report scams to the FTC
In conclusion
Love is meant to bring joy, companionship, and trust—NOT financial stress and heartache. This Valentine’s Day, take extra precautions to protect yourself and your finances from romance scams. Stay vigilant, listen to your instincts, and seek advice from loved ones if something feels off. Our fraud department is here to help in any way we can! Give us a call or stop into any of our locations.
To learn more about the latest fraud & scams and different security products/services we offer visit our Security Center page.