Valentine's Day scams and red flags you need to watch for
Every year before Valentine’s Day, romantic hopefuls flock to shops to find the perfect gift for their partners. Whether it is a box of chocolates or a dozen roses, the day is supposed to be a celebration of all things love.
But as we have pointed out on many occasions, if something is popular, you can bet your bottom dollar that scammers won’t be far behind. And unfortunately, lovers won’t be spared this year. Even the FBI has warned about online romance fraud.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, scammers are out in full force. Keep reading for some red flags to watch for.
Here’s the backstory
Scams involving romantic connections aren’t limited to Valentine’s Day, but there is always a spike in them around this time. The most popular trick that criminals use is the romance scam. Matching with people on dating apps, scammers will often work on potential partners for a few weeks.
Romance scammers typically target vulnerable people who have experienced a recent breakup. They take advantage of that heartbreak to establish a connection and gain sympathy.
Once trust has been built, the criminals ask for money. And it never stops with initial small money requests. The amounts asked for will keep getting more significant. And they never only have one target, often fleecing multiple hopefuls at a time.
As the Better Business Bureau (BBB) points out, there are often tell-tale signs that you could be part of a romance scam. Here are some red flags to look for:
- The relationship moves too fast.
- Your partner is hesitant to meet in person.
- They regularly ask for money with the promise of paying it back but never do.
Romance scams are just the tip of the iceberg. There are other schemes to be aware of.
More scams to look out for
Imposter site scams
10 clever ways Alexa can help you set the mood on Valentine's Day
Wherefore art thou Romeo, Michael, John or whatever your name might be? Hopefully out preparing for the most romantic day of the year: Valentine’s Day! V-day is the one day you gift your significant other liquor-laden chocolates, bountiful bouquets and loads of sweet nothings, just because you can.