Sweetheart Scams occur when individuals are misled into believing they have formed genuine relationships with deceptive scammers. Once trust is established, these individuals exploit victims emotionally, financially and for personal information. The proliferation of online dating and social media has made it easier for such scammers to find innocent targets. Falling victim to this scam can be anything but “sweet,” so it’s essential to stay vigilant to prevent it from happening.
To safeguard your journey in love, consider these essential tips:
- Be careful what you post online and make it public, scammers can use this information against you.
- Beware of fake profiles as scammers can steal photos from real accounts and pose as anyone. Always research profiles to see if they have been used elsewhere.
- Scammers can pose as military personnel so always ask a lot of questions to try to verify the story being shared.
- Be wary if your new sweetheart can never meet “in-person” as this is a red flag that they may not have good intentions.
- Never send anyone money whom you have met online or via the telephone.
Prompt Reporting: If you feel you have fallen for a scam or suspect your accounts or identity have been compromised, report the incident immediately. Contact reliable sources such as the FBI and file a complaint at ic3.gov to contribute to efforts against these fraudulent activities.
RCB Bank customers can contact us at 855.226.5722 during business hours or visit the RCB Bank Security Center for detailed information.
Opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the author and meant for generic illustration purposes only. RCB Bank, Member FDIC.
Sources: FBI. (2024). Romance scams | Federal Bureau of Investigation.
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/safety-resources/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/romance-scams
