Always protect your heart and your wallet. Stay aware of a growing and alarming con called a romance scam. Unfortunately, cybercriminals actively prey on the vulnerabilities of people of all ages who are looking for love.
What is a Romance Scam?
A romance scam is a confidence ploy used to lure someone into a fictitious, online relationship. Criminals use popular dating apps and social media platforms to scout for their victims. These online criminals often communicate regularly with their victims and pose as workers in various professions, including doctors with international organizations, construction workers, offshore oil rigs, or other professions that require work outside of the country.
Once they quickly build trust or a fictious relationship with their victim, they ask for money to be wired, mailed, transferred, or provided via gift cards for fabricated emergencies. The thief may even obtain personal information or unsavory photos to threaten the victim if the money isn’t sent.
Another popular method of deception is asking the person they’re supposedly “dating” to wire or send money so he or she can afford to travel and meet in person. The criminal posing as the romancer will lie about why travel isn’t possible. Of course, the victim is happy to help their new boyfriend or girlfriend in their time of need—especially if it’s to allegedly meet in person.
The scammer finds many excuses to continue to request funds until the victim either runs out of money or becomes aware of his or her scam. At that point, it’s unfortunately too late. Not only has the money been stolen but the thief has moved on to his or her next victim.
Do Your Research
Whether it’s a new, online connection or a too-good-to-be-true love story, always stay cautious and ask questions. If you think the love interest you’ve met online sounds too good to be true, then you want to do your research. Search for the person’s photo and details to see if you find the profile on other platforms. Scammers will often steal identities and photos to disguise themselves or appear more attractive to the victim.
Ask yourself these questions to help determine if your online love interest is a potential scammer:
Unfortunately, romance scams are now one of the costliest online scams in America. Victims in America and Canada over the last three years have reportedly lost nearly $1 billion annually to romance scams. In fact, this number is thought to be even higher as victims are too ashamed and hurt by the scam that they don’t report the crime.
Remember, scammers are ruthless criminals who spend their days tricking people into believing their stories. Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed if you think you’ve been a victim or a target—it’s not your fault!
If you feel you’ve been a victim of a romance scam:
What is a Romance Scam?
A romance scam is a confidence ploy used to lure someone into a fictitious, online relationship. Criminals use popular dating apps and social media platforms to scout for their victims. These online criminals often communicate regularly with their victims and pose as workers in various professions, including doctors with international organizations, construction workers, offshore oil rigs, or other professions that require work outside of the country.
Once they quickly build trust or a fictious relationship with their victim, they ask for money to be wired, mailed, transferred, or provided via gift cards for fabricated emergencies. The thief may even obtain personal information or unsavory photos to threaten the victim if the money isn’t sent.
Another popular method of deception is asking the person they’re supposedly “dating” to wire or send money so he or she can afford to travel and meet in person. The criminal posing as the romancer will lie about why travel isn’t possible. Of course, the victim is happy to help their new boyfriend or girlfriend in their time of need—especially if it’s to allegedly meet in person.
The scammer finds many excuses to continue to request funds until the victim either runs out of money or becomes aware of his or her scam. At that point, it’s unfortunately too late. Not only has the money been stolen but the thief has moved on to his or her next victim.
Do Your Research
Whether it’s a new, online connection or a too-good-to-be-true love story, always stay cautious and ask questions. If you think the love interest you’ve met online sounds too good to be true, then you want to do your research. Search for the person’s photo and details to see if you find the profile on other platforms. Scammers will often steal identities and photos to disguise themselves or appear more attractive to the victim.
Ask yourself these questions to help determine if your online love interest is a potential scammer:
- Have they asked or pressured you for money, to transfer or wire funds, or supply gift cards?
- Is your new, online admirer supposedly working or living outside of the country?
- Are you never able to take the relationship offline? Does the person always have excuses as to why you can never meet in person?
Unfortunately, romance scams are now one of the costliest online scams in America. Victims in America and Canada over the last three years have reportedly lost nearly $1 billion annually to romance scams. In fact, this number is thought to be even higher as victims are too ashamed and hurt by the scam that they don’t report the crime.
Remember, scammers are ruthless criminals who spend their days tricking people into believing their stories. Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed if you think you’ve been a victim or a target—it’s not your fault!
If you feel you’ve been a victim of a romance scam:
- Contact First Bank by visiting a First Bank branch or calling the First Bank Service Center at 1-800-760-BANK.
- Report the fake profile to the online dating site or the social media platform.
- Report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov/complaint.
- Contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at ic3.gov.