How to Spot and Prevent Romance Scams

In the Internet age, romance may seem like another aspect of life that can be easily found online. However, many fraudsters and scammers have created romantic schemes to steal financial and personal information from victims. 

Romance scams occur when a scammer creates a fake online identity to gain a victim’s trust. The criminal will use this false relationship built on affection to manipulate the target into giving them money or even grant access to the target’s financial accounts.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumers reported losing more than $823 million to romance scams in 2024. The Better Business Bureau ranked romance scams the No. 3 “riskiest scam” in its 2024 Scam Tracker Risk Report. The report showed romance scams had the highest median dollar loss of all scam types, at $6,099.00. 

Online dating has become increasingly popular, and many scammers are using that to their advantage. Here are some recommendations to help identify, prevent, and protect against romance scams.

Do Not Spend Money

A love interest may ask you to send money as a gift card, online money transfer, or cryptocurrency. When dating online, never send money or gifts to someone you have not met in person.

Sad stories are unfortunately often scam stories, so be wary of them. Though scammers use various tactics, many fall back on the lie that they need money because they or someone close to them is sick, injured, or in jail. According to the FTC, that was the most common lie victims reported. Other common lies used include “I can teach you how to invest,” “I’m in the military far away,” and “I need help with an important delivery.”

Do Your Research

If you are unsure about a new online love interest, there are ways to analyze the user’s pictures to spot a fake profile. According to the FTC, having only one or two photos may be a sign that the scammer is withholding information, as well as posting pictures that look too perfect, such as stock images. You can always do a reverse image search of the person’s profile picture to see if it’s connected to any other names or profiles online.

If you are chatting with someone you just met online, never share your personal information, including your last name, location, or place of employment, because scammers might use this against you.

Pass Along These Tips

While you might not be dating online, you might know a friend or family member who is. All age groups are vulnerable to romance scams, but older adults are often targeted more by scammers because they typically have more assets and are less familiar with the online dating world. If you have a parent, grandparent, or loved one you are concerned about, share these tips with them and offer to help them look into anything they are unsure about.

Report Scams

If you suspect a new love interest has malicious intentions, report them to the dating site or app you are using. If you suspect you have mistakenly sent money to a scammer, immediately contact your bank or the company that you used to send the money. Make sure to also report your experience to the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov. 

Because romance scams are so ubiquitous, it is crucial to stay vigilant and aware of the potential for contact with fraudsters. Avoid sending money to people you have not met in person, and always be cautious about the information you share with people you don’t know very well. 

Even if you feel safe in an online relationship, it’s best to exercise caution and avoid disclosing personal or sensitive information. When in doubt, ask a loved one to help you determine the best course of action. Find more information from the FTC about imposter scams at www.ftc.gov/imposterscams. ν

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