It may no longer be the “month of love”, but criminals are actively working to lure their next victim into a Romance Scam all year long.
Do you think only the elderly are susceptible? Do you think that your teenager is immune to falling for a romance scam? Think again.
Whether you are starting to fear that you may be involved in a Romance Scam, or that someone you care about has fallen victim, we are going to share information to help you.
What is a Romance Scam?
Romance Scams typically begin when a scammer initiates contact with the victim on a dating site or social media. They then very convincingly lure the victim into a romantic relationship with the end goal of defrauding them of money.
RED FLAGS
- They claim to live, work, or are traveling abroad.
- They claim to be much younger than you.
- They quickly profess their LOVE to you!
- They have a story that doesn’t seem to add up.
- You can’t find much out about them online or on social media.
- They take the time to groom their intended target and build their trust.
- Their photos might seem generic and too good to be true (example: traveling, shopping, or eating at very expensive locations).
- They may also send or request explicit photos or videos.
- They may mention the idea of meeting and being together soon, but always have excuses for why that never ends up happening.
- They might request to have your conversation move to a separate app, such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, or Signal, to name a few.
- When they ask for money, it will often be a non-traditional method, such as cryptocurrency or gift cards. Any mention of cryptocurrency should be a HUGE red flag.
- If you question them, they may either become combative or try to change the subject.
- If your bank contacts you with concerns, please take this as the biggest red flag of all. Our employees are trained to notice when transactions or behaviors seem out of the ordinary. We know our customers and it is our obligation to look out for you and help you to protect your money.
It can happen to ANYONE…do not be embarrassed to ask for help:
How can you protect yourself?
- NEVER send money to someone that you have not met in-person.
- NEVER open bank accounts or start businesses on behalf of someone else.
- NEVER send or receive money on behalf of someone else or to someone else.
- NEVER share your personal or financial information.
What can you do, if you think you are a victim of a Romance Scam?
Contact your local U.S. Secret Service office: https://www.secretservice.gov/contact/field-offices