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As Valentine’s Day approaches, many people think of love. But online romance adds a layer of potential deception to every connection, creating complex courtship and coupling dynamics. Although you want to keep the romance alive, it’s important to enter the world of online dating with open eyes and ears as much as an open heart. This Valentine’s Day, it’s important to remain vigilant to avoid falling victim to a Casanova scam.
One of the most common risks of online dating is fall into catfish, A person who pretends to be someone else online. This is why we found Patricia’s email to us particularly meaningful.
“I need help. I met a guy online and we’ve been chatting for months. At first we were able to chat via email and phone. Lately I’ve been told a few things that are making me nervous. Truthfinder, People Finder, and I was using Been Verified and couldn’t get any information about this guy. When I asked about it, he said he hasn’t published anything on the internet because he’s been hacked several times. said.
Someone suggested that I might be using a VPN. Is this possible? If you think it’s possible, could you please tell me how I can get the information I’m looking for about this guy? Until recently, I was starting to think that maybe we have a lot in common, but now I’m not so sure. ”
—Patricia, Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin
A person holding a mobile phone and showing online dating matches. (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutsson)
The risk of romance scams is high
Patricia, you are not alone in your concerns about developing online relationships. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the latest data shows that approximately 70,000 people have fallen victim to romantic scams, with losses of up to $1.3 billion reported. There’s a lot of risk involved, not just experiencing the possibility of heartbreak.
More: Best Valentine’s Day Gifts of 2024
The other side of the virtual veil
The person you are chatting with online Virtual private network (VPN), a tool that encrypts your Internet connection and routes it through a remote server. A VPN makes it harder to connect your online activities to your physical location, but it doesn’t prevent your information from being online.
However, there are data deletion services like the ones mentioned here. here It could be used to limit his information online. Either he is proactive about his privacy and safety, or he is a scammer with an elaborate strategy to scam you out of your money, personal information, and identity.
Read more: Never do this on a dating app
5 red flags of online scammers that break your heart
1) Tell them they love you right away or try to build a strong emotional connection with you
2) Always have an excuse for not meeting in person or video chatting.
3) Request money, gift cards, or other favors, often for urgent or personal reasons
4) Send links or attachments that may contain: malware or Phishing site
5) Inconsistent or vague details about yourself, location, and work
A woman making a heart symbol with her hands in front of a laptop.
More information: How to protect yourself from social media scammers
Top scams to watch out for this Valentine’s Day
With a special focus on Valentine’s Day, here are some of the top scams that are especially prevalent during this holiday.
Don’t click on Valentine’s Day: Scammers send automated Valentine’s Day cards (usually through chatbots) that appear to be from a friend or family member, but are never opened (to obtain an electronic card) or the link is If clicked, malicious software may be installed or your device may be hacked.
Be careful where you look for love. At this time of year, new domain registrations using romantic words increase. Many of these websites have been flagged as potentially dangerous. Use an established online dating service that has security measures in place. You can always do another search using words like “scam” or “fake” with the name of the dating site you want to check and see if there are any negative feedback or experiences.
Please use good judgment in what you share. sextortion is a technique Here, romantic scammers will blackmail you into sending risqué photos and videos of yourself, as well as demanding more risqué material or money.
Sometimes, random scammers will bluff and claim that they have a porn video that will be sent to all your contacts on your phone or computer if you don’t usually pay with Bitcoin. Although this is an empty threat, shocked recipients receive these types of emails and end up over-transferring their money.
More information: How to protect yourself from “vishing” scams
3 steps to avoid romance scammers and stay safe
1) Go slowly: Whether you provide personal information or pay any fees, don’t rush into action. Trust takes time, so it’s okay for him to build this relationship one interaction at a time. You probably wouldn’t give your social security number to a stranger at the grocery store or hand over all the money in your wallet in exchange for a check to your girlfriend’s fitness instructor.
2) Trust your intuition: If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to end the relationship, with or without “evidence.” Don’t do anything that feels dangerous or wrong.
3) Farewell: It’s okay to end the connection without talking if you don’t feel safe, especially if you feel manipulated into continuing the conversation further. It’s okay to cut off contact, and in some cases, it’s okay to block this person online.
More: How to avoid the worst dating app scammers
What should you do if you suspect someone is scamming you online?
Please do not send money or personal information. If you receive an unsolicited request for money, bank account details or other personal information, please do not respond. Scammers often use urgency and emotional manipulation to coerce victims into sharing sensitive data or making payments.
Be skeptical: Be careful when interacting with unknown individuals online. If something seems too good to be true (like winning a lottery ticket you never entered), it probably is. Trust your instincts and independently verify any claims.
Check the source. Please verify the legitimacy of the person or organization contacting you before taking any action. Find names, email addresses, and phone numbers online. Look for reviews, complaints, or warnings related to their activities.
Check for red flags. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to force their victims to make a decision. Offers that promise huge rewards with minimal effort are often scams. Be careful if someone asks for your social security number, credit card details, or password. Scammers may request payment in the following ways: gift cardwire transfer or cryptocurrency.
install good antivirus software Because while it may seem like a sweetener, antivirus software isn’t. Installing antivirus software on your device will ensure that you are prevented from clicking on potentially malicious links that could install malware on your device and give hackers access to your personal information. Read my review of Best Antivirus Protection here.
Fraud is a policy issue that no one is talking about.
A hand holding an iPhone with a farewell message. (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
More: How a cunning romance scammer scammed a Florida man of nearly $500,000
What should I do if I suspect I’m a victim of a romance scammer?
If, like Patricia, you suspect you may have fallen prey to a romance scammer, check out some resources and action steps to take.
1. Log out of your account
First, log out of all accounts in all web browsers on your computer. Once that is done, you need to clear your browser history.
2. Scan your device
use Reliable antivirus program Run a comprehensive scan to detect and remove any residual traces of malware. The best way to protect yourself from data breaches by romance scammers is to install antivirus protection on all your devices. Read my review of Best Antivirus Protection here.
3. Change your password
If a romance scammer reveals your password, change it immediately. Always create strong passwords for your accounts and devices, and avoid using the same password for multiple online accounts. Please consider using . password manager Securely store and generate complex passwords. It helps you create unique, hard-to-crack passwords that hackers can never guess.
4. Use two-factor authentication
Implement two-factor authentication This is just an additional shield to prevent romance scammers from getting into your account. This way, even if someone steals your password or gives it to a scammer, without his second factor, such as a code sent to your phone or email, he won’t be able to access your account. It cannot be accessed.
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5. Report romance scammers
If you come across suspicious profiles or communications on social media, online marketplaces, or dating apps, please report them to the platform. Also, report the scam to your local law enforcement and file a complaint with the FTC. ftc.gov/complaints or contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
6. Search BBB’s Scam Tracker
Another tool we use is BBB Scam Tracker. You can use it to search by keyword or category to see if a specific scenario or person is mentioned in the posted scams.
7. Contact your financial institution
If you suspect fraudulent activity on your account, please contact your bank, credit card company, or other financial institution.
8. Monitor your credit report
Monitor your credit report and score for signs such as: identity theft or unauthorized inquiries.
9. Invest in identity theft software
you will also want to invest identity theft software To protect your identity and financial accounts. Anti-theft companies monitor your personal information, such as your home name, social security number (SSN), phone number, and email address, and alert you if it’s being used to open an account. It can also help freeze bank and credit card accounts to prevent further misuse by criminals. Check out our tips and recommendations on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
Cart important points
New scammers, romantic or otherwise, seem to be proliferating, especially around the holidays, to tug at our heartstrings. There are many do’s and don’ts when it comes to online dating and cybersecurity, but there’s no substitute for your instincts and common sense.
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