Romance Scam
Three in 10 U.S. adults used online dating sites or apps - including 1 in 5 those in their 50s or early 60s, according to a Pew Research Center study.
A romance scam is when a person is tricked into believing they’re in a romantic relationship with someone they met online. In fact, their “other half” is a scammer using a phony profile to court victims online - gaining affection and trust to ask or blackmail them for money.
How this Scam Works
Romance scams or online dating scams start in a few different ways, usually online. For example, you have received a friend request, follower request, or direct message on social media or dating apps. Scammers often create online profiles using fictional names and another person’s photo. They generally live in another part of the country or abroad for business or military deployment.
They will lavish you with attention and appear to be caring, intelligent, funny, and personable. After gaining your trust and affection, scammers lure you into sending money. They might claim it’s for a medical emergency, to help pay rent, or a plane ticket. Over weeks or months, you make plans to meet in person, but something always comes up.
The FTC estimated on average $2,500 was sent to romance scammers in 2020. Gift cards and wire transfers are common payment methods by online scammers and are challenging to track.
Tips to Avoid Romance Scams
Never send money or gifts to someone you haven’t met in person.
Limit sharing your personal information online.
Try a reverse image search of the person’s profile picture.