As Valentine’s Day approaches, law enforcement warns us to be aware of surge in ‘romance scams’
As we approach Valentine’s Day 2024, law enforcement officials across the country are warning residents to be aware of an expected surge of Romance/Confidence scams that will be coming our way to try and ruin the National Day of Love.
According to the FBI field office in Atlanta, in 2022 (2023 numbers are not available), nationally, 19,800 victims lost a combined $735,000,000. And that’s simply those that were reported. FBI Atlanta estimates two to three times that number of victims never report the crime.
In Georgia alone, at least 425 Georgians reported falling victim to a romance scam. Georgia victims lost a combined $10,516,818.
In a confidence/romance scam, victims are lured into thinking they are in a relationship with a friend or romantic partner, then are tricked into sending money, financial information, or personal information to the criminal. They may also be deceived into laundering money.
Romance scammers follow a well-rehearsed script that has worked before, and often view this scam as a full-time job. Special Agents have noted they may wait for months developing the relationship before asking for anything of value.
To avoid becoming a victim:
- Be careful what you post online.
- Use only dating apps with national reputations, but assume scammers are trolling even those websites looking for potential victims.
- Take the relationship slow and ask questions.
- Research the person’s picture and profile to make sure they aren’t using someone else’s profile.
- If you suspect a scam, stop contact immediately.
- Report scams to the FBI at IC3.gov.
The following information regarding several common scams to be aware of this Valentine’s Day comes to us from The Better Business Bureau:
Impostor websites: Consumers should always be alert for impostor websites, from fake jewelry sellers to online dating sites. Scammers can easily lift official photos, sale promotions, and logos directly from the website of a popular jewelry brand. With professional graphics and unbeatable prices, scammers build an attractive website that looks eerily similar to the real thing.
Similar methods may be used to build fake online dating platforms, often used to steal personal data and credit card information.
Red flags:
- Products are available at extreme discounts.
- The seller requests customers pay withcash transfer apps or cryptocurrency.
- Customer service is unreachable.
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Romance scams: Romance scammers often target vulnerable people who have experienced a recent breakup or other hardship. They take advantage of that heartbreak to establish a connection and gain sympathy. Once they’ve gotten their victim on the hook with a sad story, they begin pursuing their true goal–money.
Falling victim to a romance scam can be particularly devastating. Victims can lose thousands of dollars, and they’re often left feeling heartbroken and betrayed because they believed they’d found a good partner.
Red flags:
- The relationship moves very fast.
- You never meet in person.
- They ask for money.
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Wrong number scam: Responding to a text message from someone who messaged the wrong number might seem harmless. It might even seem like the polite thing to do if they say they’re looking to reconnect with a potential match.
The text message, however, is bait to lure you into a conversation. If you keep chatting, they eventually try to get your personal information by directing you to sign up for an adult site.
Red flags:
- The messages don’t stop.
- The sender directs you to sign up for a website.
- They try to get your personal information.
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Fake florist scam: Ordering flowers for Valentine’s Day? Don’t procrastinate or you may end up falling for a scam. BBB has received many reports of shoppers who thought they were ordering flowers from an online florist… but either got nothing at all, or a disappointing arrangement. Don’t let phony florists ruin Valentine’s Day.
Red flags:
- The business has no reviews or bad reviews (always check BBB.org!)
- You can’t find a return policy or satisfaction guarantee.
- The deal is “too good to be true.”
“Being forewarned is being forearmed”
Have a Safe and Happy Valentine’s Day!
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(Source: FBI Atlanta)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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