Romance Scams Are on the Rise

You meet someone online who seems genuine, attentive, and deeply interested in you. They message you often throughout the day, ask about you and your feelings, and talk about how they’ve never felt so connected to anyone before. Before long, you’re imagining a future with them and discussing ways to meet. Then you get the text. They need money for a medical emergency, or a business crisis, or their funds are tied up, and they need help with bills. You want to help, so you send the funds believing you’re supporting someone you care about.

This moment, the request for money, is the ultimate goal of countless romance scams.

Romance scams aren’t new, but the scale of the problem has grown dramatically. In 2022, around 70,000 people reported falling victim (FTC Consumer Sentinel Network), and losses remain staggering. The FTC recorded a record $547 million lost in 2021, while Americans age 60+ reported more than $240 million in losses in 2022 (ConsumerAffairs analysis of FTC data).

Here’s how to recognize the warning signs and the steps to take if you or someone you love becomes a victim.

What is a Romance Scam?

A romance scam occurs when someone creates a fake online identity to gain a target’s affection and trust. Once an emotional bond is built—often over weeks, months, or even years—the scammer uses that connection to solicit money or personal information.

Romance scammers target vulnerable individuals, often those who have been recently widowed, divorced, or affected by tragedy, but anyone can be victimized. They typically create fake profiles on:

• Dating apps
• Social media platforms
• Online games
• Messaging apps

Their goal is simple: manipulate emotions for profit.

Red Flags to Watch For

While each scam is different, romance scammers follow predictable patterns. Trust your instincts if something feels off. Common warning signs include:

• They claim to live or work abroad: Often posing as military personnel, contractors, or medical workers, they use distance as an excuse not to meet.
• They try to move conversations off the original platform quickly: They often urge you to switch to WhatsApp or similar apps where platform monitoring is limited.
• They profess love or deep affection quickly: Scammers “love bomb” victims to build trust fast, sometimes within days of first contact claiming they’ve never felt so connected to anyone before.
• They avoid video calls or in‑person meetings: The image that hooked you may not be their own. Scammers commonly use someone else’s social media photos to gain attention, then find a convenient excuse not to be seen in-person.
• They ask for money: This is one of the biggest red flags. Be wary of requests for money if you have never met the person. They fabricate situations like business needs or investment opportunities. They may create a sense of urgency with emergencies or medical needs.
• Their profile looks too perfect: The scammer’s goal is to bond with you. If their jobs, hobbies, or dream vacation locations match yours exactly, it may be too good to be true.

How to Protect Yourself

You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself. A few simple steps can help you verify whether someone is who they claim to be:

• Do a reverse image search of any profile photos or pictures that they send. With this step, you can verify if the photos belong to someone else, or if the image has been used in other scams before.
• Ask specific questions about details they’ve shared and ask over multiple conversations. Scammers often struggle to keep their stories consistent, so look for contradictions.
• Check their social media presence to see how long they’ve had the profile. A brand-new profile with few friends, or posts with generic pictures and no personal information is suspicious.
• Talk to someone you trust and let the scammer know you’ve shared the situation. Many scammers aim to isolate you and keep you detached and dependent. Plus, a friend or family member may spot inconsistencies that you’ve overlooked,
• Never send money, gift cards, wire transfers, crypto currency, or bank information to someone you haven’t met in person. Don’t send money back from a cashier’s check or a money order that they send you for “safe keeping”; the checks are more than likely fake.
• Be cautious with your personal information overall, especially if you feel pressured.  Scammers may use that information for identity theft, adding even more damage to the emotional manipulation. Be cautious.

If You’ve Fallen Victim, You’re Not Alone, and There Is Help

Romance scams are designed to make victims feel ashamed or isolated. But the truth is, tens of thousands of people report falling victim every year, and losses span all ages, backgrounds, and income levels.

If you suspect you’ve been scammed:

• Stop all communication immediately.
• Document everything. Save all messages, usernames, and receipts for the authorities.
• Contact your credit union right away so we can help protect your accounts.
• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Report the scam to the FBI at https://www.fbi.gov.  
• Notify the social platform where you met the scammer.
• Place a freeze on your accounts, cards, and credit reports.
• Reach out to someone you trust for emotional support, whether it’s a friend, a professional, or a support group.

Your Safety Is Our Priority

Fraud evolves constantly, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Staying aware, asking questions, and leaning on your credit union as a trusted partner can make all the difference. Acting quickly can limit financial damage and help prevent others from being victimized. The more aware you are, the less of a target you and your loved ones will be.