With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, you or your friends might be thinking about love. But not everyone is — some are just looking to get into your pockets. Read on so you can spot and report scammers before they trick someone you care about out of money.

Then they start asking for money: it could be for a plane ticket, surgery, or something else urgent — or even to “help” you invest in cryptocurrency. In fact, check out the just-released Data Spotlight for the low-down on the lies that romance scammers use to bait their trap — and to see how much money they raked in last year.

So, how do you spot a romance scam?

• If an online love interest asks you for money, that’s a scam. Period. Don’t send a reload, prepaid, or gift card; don’t wire money; and don’t send cryptocurrency to someone you met online.
• If someone appears on your social media and rushes you to start a friendship or romance, slow down. Talk to someone you trust before you respond.
• If you suspect someone is a scammer, cut off contact. Tell the online app or social media platform right away, and then tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Most importantly, talk about what you know with your friends and family. Romance scams can be particularly complicated because once they start, it can feel embarrassing to talk about them. But let your friends and family know that you’re there to listen. You could help save them money — and heartache.

Article source: Lazarus, A. (2023, February 9). Did your dating app match just ask you for money? [Review of Did your dating app match just ask you for money?]. www.consumer.ftc.gov. https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/02/did-your-dating-app-match-just-ask-you-money#:~:text=If%20an%20online%20love%20interest,to%20someone%20you%20met%20online.