Romance Scams
Did you know that romance scams are among the fastest-growing fraud threats? Many of these scammers financially and emotionally target vulnerable individuals. Educating yourself on common romance scam red flags can help protect you and your loved ones.
Below are some key signs to beware of:
- Requests for Money: If someone you have never met is asks you for money, especially for an “Emergency” or “Urgent Situation,” this should raise immediate concerns.
- Avoidance of Video Calls or In-Person Meetings: This typically indicates that someone may be trying to conceal their true identity and are not who they claim to be.
- Secrecy surrounding the relationship: Scammers commonly will encourage you to keep your relationship a secret from your family and friends, isolating you from those who could offer support.
- Too Good to Be True: If something or someone sounds “Too good to be true,” it is worth taking a closer look into, as it is probably ingenuine or illegitimate.
- Inconsistent Stories: Pay attention to the details of stories these individuals may share with you. Scammers may slip up and provide conflicting information. If their stories are inconsistent or do not align, they may be deceiving or manipulating you.
- Love Bombing: This term describes individuals that are quick to declare their love early in a relationship and shower you with excessive affection. This is a form of emotional manipulation.
Educating yourself and others about these red flags may help prevent you or a loved one falling victim to these Romance Scams. Staying vigilant and confiding in those around you about an online relationship may assist you in determining whether a relationship you have established with a new individual in your life is legitimate or a scam.
If you believe you have financially fallen victim to a romance scam and/or your financial information may be compromised, contact your local branch.