The modern day “finding your person” often happens online, whether through dating apps or social media platforms.
Unfortunately, among the millions of people looking for love, genuine connections, and relationships, there are fraudsters looking to take advantage of relationship seekers for their financial benefit.
Romance scams are very tricky to identify. That’s why it’s important to educate yourself to know to recognize this type of fraud!
What is a romance scam?
A romance scam involves someone who connects with a potential victim through social media or a dating site. The scammer will work to develop a relationship with the individual and when the scammer believes they’ve created a relationship of trust, they begin to ask for money. The criminal might say they live far away and need money so they can meet the victim in person. Another common story is that they need financial assistance to help a sick family member. These requests are a scam and just a couple of the tactics they use to get their victim to send them large amounts of money.
Is your romance a scam?
No, this doesn’t mean you need to be cynical of a budding new relationship! But it’s wise to be aware of the warning signs of a romance scam before you get too invested.
- Moving too fast. Typically, the romance scam relationships move quicker than the average relationship, and the scammer may confess their love or feelings sooner than a regular relationship. This gives them the opportunity to make the relationship sound real, so they can request money.
- Having a simple or bare dating profile compared to others.For example, they could have the same picture on all their profiles, or the picture might be blurry.
- Inconsistencies. Their texts may not line up with the posts on their social media accounts or their conversations may have inconsistencies. Being called the wrong name or noticing that the conversation doesn’t flow naturally. Typically, these scammers are speaking with multiple victims at once so it’s easy for them to make a mistake.
- Avoiding face to face interactions.They may say they live in another city or have an occupation that requires travel, which is another reason to ask you for money. They always seem to come up with a reason why they can’t meet you in person.
How to avoid falling for a romance scam
- Do an online search of the person’s identity to see if they’re real.
- Do a reverse search on the photos they sent to see if the photos were taken from the internet.
- Ask detailed questions, then look for inconsistencies between their social media profile and the conversations you’ve had.
- Ask them to repeat stories. If the story is altered the second time, it’s likely fake.
- Get a second opinion of the person you’re speaking with online. The second set of eyes might find something you missed.
- Never share financial information to strangers or new relationships.
What to do if you think you’re the victim of a romance scam
First, cut off all communication with the scammer. Contact us at 1.866.863.6237 to stop any payments you made to the scammer. Lastly, file a report with a Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or call your local police.
Remember, anyone can be a victim of fraud, so it’s important to educate yourself just in case! By following this information, you can take control of your online presence to make your online experience safer.