It’s well known that people online aren’t always as they appear. However, tens of thousands of internet users fall victim to online romance scams each year, and it can happen to anyone. These scams can be incredibly convincing and are increasingly found across dating sites and social media platforms. Bad actors are very good at appealing to victims’ emotions and feigning personal connections, with the intention of stealing large sums of money and personal information. Luckily, there are ways to identify a scam and protect yourself online.
Some red flags may include:
- A request for money is a major red flag of a scam. Scammers may pressure you into sending money for “urgent” matters, such as medical expenses. They may also say it’s for a plane ticket to visit you. Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person. Scammers may also ask for payment in the form of pre-loaded gift cards or wire transfers.
- They may often make and break promises to come see you in person. The person claims to live far away, overseas, or be in the military.
- There’s pressure to move the conversation off the platform to a different site or want to continue the conversation through text. Dating platforms search for scammers on their sites. Scammers will want to move their victim off-platform to avoid any detection.
By speaking out, reporting scams, and encouraging others to do the same, you can help protect others from becoming victims.
For more information, visit staysafeonline.org/romance-scams.
Additional Resources:
FBI: Romance Scams
FTC: What You Need to Know About Romance Scams
NortonLifeLock: Romance Scams Guide
Contact Planters First Bank:
If you believe that your account(s) have been compromised, please call 833-732-8351 immediately or Click here to contact us through our website.
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