Beware of Romance Scams

In the quest for love, people often lower their defenses, making them vulnerable to those with malicious intent. Criminals exploit this openness, but by recognizing suspicious behavior early, you can protect yourself from both intense emotional distress and devastating financial loss.

How Romance Scams Work

Romance scammers typically operate on dating websites and social media platforms, targeting individuals seeking genuine relationships. Their sneaky methods follow a predictable pattern:

Initial Contact - The scammer reaches out, often using an attractive profile picture and a well-crafted backstory.
Rapid Escalation - They quickly intensify the relationship through daily communication and excessive flattery.
Excuses for No In-Person Meetings - There's always a convenient reason they can't meet face-to-face, such as working overseas or military deployment.
Financial Requests - As trust builds, the scammer begins asking for money. Common tactics include:

Involve you in money laundering by having you receive and forward wired funds
Send fraudulent checks for you to deposit and return as gift cards

Once you stop sending money, the relationship suddenly ends.

Four Ways to Guard Against a Romance Scam

Scammers that convince you to open your heart and your bank account can cause significant emotional and financial damage. But you can protect yourself from romance scams if you remember to:

Perform a reverse image search of the profile picture. Inconsistencies may reveal you are dealing with a scammer.
Never sharing sensitive details like your full name, address, or bank account information on dating platforms.
Resist attempts to move conversations to texting or email too quickly. Scammers prefer these channels to avoid detection by dating websites or apps.
Discuss your online relationship with trusted friends or family. They may spot red flags you've overlooked.

Genuine love doesn't ask for money. By staying alert and informed, you can enjoy the world of online dating while keeping your heart and finances secure.

For more security tips or to report fraud, visit the Wescom Security Center at wescom.org/security-center.