UNscam Your Love Life

Whether you’re looking for love online or scrolling through social media with an open heart, it’s important to be aware of popular romance scam tactics. Here are three red flags to watch out for so you don’t fall head over heels for a scammer that’ll hurt your heart and your bank account.

SEND FUND$

It’s not UNcommon to fall in love over the phone or on the internet these days. Evolving technology has made building connections easier than ever, especially for scammers. With fake profiles and sweet words, they target their victims, gain their trust and establish a relationship. Then, they’ll begin to ask for money, commonly citing medical emergencies or other urgent scenarios. Do you see the red flag waving?

If someone you just met and only know online suddenly asks you to send money via cryptocurrency, wire transfer or, most frequently, via gift cards, it’s time to take a step back and reassess the relationship.

2 MYSTERIOUS 4 U

A little mystery is fun. A lotta mystery is concerning. If your date’s digital footprint is practically non-existent or they’ve evaded making plans to talk on the phone, chat on a video call or meet in real life, it’s a red flag—especially if they’re asking you for money.

You may think you know who you’re talking to, but the internet makes it easy for scammers to play the part of trustworthy people. Do some research and see if you can learn more about your mysterious mate. If you can’t, and they refuse to divulge personal details or connect face-to-face, you’ll know it’s not meant to be.

POSER

If you think you’re dating a famous person, no, you’re not.

Impersonating high-profile celebrities and influencers is an admittedly amateur move, but it doesn’t stop scammers from trying to pull it off. Think about it: why on earth would a celebrity be asking YOU for money? Either they have a terrible manager, weird social media habits and poor financial skills… or your A-list lover is a scammer in disguise.

No matter what a scammer says or how guilty they may try to make you feel, know that the safest thing you can do is end the relationship and cease communications.

All romance scams should be reported to the FBI’s cybercrime division, IC3. If you’ve been affected by fraudulent activity, IC3 offers helpful information on next steps, future prevention and counselling services here.

This blog is intended for educational purposes only. For details about specific products or services, see credit union for details. For questions about investments, please consult your financial advisor.