Protect your heart and wallet
In a romance scam, a person assumes a false identity on the internet to meet other people. They might use social media like Facebook or Instagram or they could use dating websites.
The scammer will start talking to the person and send them messages regularly. Sometimes, they'll claim to be a soldier on a mission in another country or an engineer who travels a lot and might have connections in your country.
After they've talked for a bit, the scammer will pretend to be in love with the person and talk about having a future together. Then, they'll ask the person for money for different reasons, like medical bills or travel expenses.
They'll come up with a convincing story to make the person believe they need the money urgently so they can be together in the future. This back-and-forth can go on for many months.
Guidelines to help avoid being scammed:
- Exercise caution if someone you encounter online requests money; these appeals are typically red flags for scams.
- Be wary of individuals unwilling to engage in phone calls or video chats, as their reluctance may indicate fraudulent intentions.
- Keep in mind that romance scammers are skilled at exploiting your desire to help and may provide falsified documents or evidence to bolster their fabricated stories.
- If you suspect that you have fallen victim to a romance scam, promptly notify your bank and report the incident to law enforcement. You're not alone.
Should you suspect falling victim to a romance scam, promptly contact our customer support team for assistance. Enhance your online safety with our security recommendations.