With Valentine's Day at hand, Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) advises people looking to start new relationships to watch out for romance scams.
This is a scheme wherein unscrupulous individuals look to defraud people by pretending to be a love interest and playing on emotions for their own financial gain. This type of scam usually occurs via email or social media, but can also happen through established online dating services.
"Romance scams are a double whammy," said Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota, in a news release. "They hit victims financially and emotionally, and the consequences are often devastating."
Romance schemes can target anyone but often target older individuals, those who are new to the Internet or not as tech-savvy. The relationship generally develops online or over the phone, when people either respond to fake online profiles or are contacted by a scammer in response to an ad they posted. Conversations begin online and things can progress quickly, which is why it's important to take things slow. Scammers prey on emotion and they're good at telling people what they want - or hope - to hear.
A huge red flag for people seeking relationships online is any request for funds. Sometimes scammers who have struck up virtual relationships will ask for money to buy an airplane ticket so the couple can "finally" meet. However, these requests are nothing more than a gateway to further requests, as the scammer comes up with reasons they can't make the trip, such as an illness, a sick relative or supposedly losing their job. A good rule of thumb is to never send money to someone you've never met in person. Another good rule of thumb is to remember that someone who cares about you will not ask you to place yourself in financial jeopardy for them or put you in a difficult position.
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People going online or using online dating services to meet romantic interests should be leery of:
• People who ask to talk or chat on an outside email or messaging service. Oftentimes, this allows fraudsters to perpetrate fraud without the dating site having a record of the encounter.
• Anyone who declares their love before meeting or knowing much about the other person.
• Individuals who prefer to communicate solely via email or over the phone. This is often the sign of someone who has a need or wishes to keep their true identity hidden.
• Claims that a person cannot meet because they are traveling, stationed or working abroad. Dishonest people use distance as a tool and a means of keeping people at arm's length. Scammers will also sometimes falsely claim a military affiliation in an effort to gain people's trust.
• Requests for money or credit card information.Any and all requests for loans or cash advances should be refused and prompt an immediate assessment of the person being communicating with. Red flags don't come any bigger than this.
• Someone who asks for sensitive personal information. Remember, a scammer's goal might also be to steal someone's identity. Be protective of personal information and watch out for suspicious emails that could have links which contain malware designed to compromise a personal computer.
The mission of Better Business Bureau is to be the leader in building marketplace trust by promoting, through self-regulation, the highest standards of business ethics and conduct, and to instill confidence in responsible businesses through programs of education and action that inform, assist and protect the general public. We are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact the BBB at bbb.org or 651-699-1111, toll-free at 800-646-6222.
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Americans are increasingly looking for love online, which makes Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity for The National Crime Prevention Council (Home to McGruff the Crime Dog) and AlertID to share useful tips about online dating that will help keep people safe when looking for Mr. or Mrs. Right.
The National Crime Prevention Council is the nonprofit leader in crime prevention. "Criminals and con artists do not take a holiday, even for Valentine's Day, so it is important to be safe, be smart, and learn how to protect yourself," said Ann M. Harkins, NCPC President and CEO.
AlertID, your neighborhood safety network, encourages people to be proactive about safety. "Taking a few extra steps to make your first date, and every one after that, safer will give you peace of mind and ensure a Happy Valentine's Day," said AlertID Founder, Keli Wilson.
• Protect Yourself: Use a disposable email account for contact purposes. Don't give out a home phone number or address.
• Personal information: Keep personal information personal. It's OK to list the city but it's not OK to list the street address.
• Don't be fooled: Although it seems like an obvious rule, genuine daters who are looking for romance and companionship are not likely to ask someone they have just met for money.
• Meeting in person: Meet a new match in a public setting for the first time. Try to make a first meeting during the day, use the AlertID crime map to find a safe place to meet, and never agree to meet a date at his or her home. Also, stay safe by providing a friend with as much information as possible regarding the date.
• Trust a gut reaction: Have a suspicious feeling about someone? Follow your instincts. Stop all communications with anyone who makes you feel uncomfortable. If uncomfortable on a date, cut the date short and call a friend to let them know the date is over. Additionally, block the person's telephone number to terminate the relationship.
