Romance scams surge in the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day. Scammers know this is a time when many people feel hopeful about making new connections, which makes it easier for them to take advantage of loneliness and vulnerability.

If you or someone you know is using dating apps, social media or messaging platforms to connect with new people, now is the time to stay alert.

What is a romance scam?

In a romance scam, a fraudster creates a fake relationship with a victim to gain their trust—and eventually their money or personal information.

Scammers often:

• Start conversations on dating apps or social media
• Move quickly to build emotional closeness
• Communicate heavily on platforms like Facebook Messenger
• Ask to switch the conversation to WhatsApp, which is a major red flag
• Claim to be working or traveling out of the country
• Use affection, promises or even proposals to deepen the connection

When they sense trust has been established, they ask for money, financial help or access to accounts.

If someone you just met online wants to be your Valentine but is suddenly asking for money, it’s a scam.

Why these scams feel so convincing

Romance scammers are skilled at sounding caring, attentive and genuine. They often spend weeks or months building a believable relationship.

They may:

• Create a sense of urgency or crisis
• Claim unexpected emergencies
• Pressure you to respond quickly
• Send realistic photos, videos or even voice clips

With the rise of AI-generated images, videos and voices, scammers can create extremely convincing identities that are hard to spot.

Be extra cautious with investment requests

Many romance scams evolve into investment scams, where the scammer claims to have an opportunity that can “change your life.”

They may ask you to invest using:

• Cryptocurrency
• Gift cards
• Wire transfers
• Money transfer apps
• Cash deposits

Scammers love these forms of payments because they are difficult to trace or recover.

If someone you have never met in person wants you to invest through crypto or promises big returns, it is almost certainly a scam.

Money mule risks

Some scammers convince victims to receive and send money on their behalf, often under the guise of helping with business expenses or emergencies. This can be defined as becoming a money mule.

This activity can be illegal.

If a “significant other” online asks you to move money for them, stop immediately and contact Consumers.

Tips to avoid romance scams

Use these guidelines to protect yourself and others:

1. Be careful what you share online
   Personal details make it easier for scammers to tailor their story to you.
2. Research the person you’re talking to.
   – Look how long their profile has existed
   – Check whether photos appear on multiple profiles
   – Use reverse image search to verify photos
   – Be skeptical of profiles that look AI-generated
3. Take things slow.
   Love bombing—rapid affection and intense flattery—is a common tactic used to manipulate victims.
4. Question excuses for not meeting in person.
   If someone always claims to be traveling, overseas or otherwise unavailable, be cautious.
5. Be realistic about celebrity encounters.
   If someone claims to be a celebrity or public figure contacting you privately, it is likely a scam.
6. Never send money to someone you have not met in person.
   No matter the reason, no matter the situation.

What to do if you suspect a romance scam

If you think you may be communicating with a scammer, or if you’ve been asked to send money, contact us right away. Our Consumers Fraud Team is here to help, plus you can find further resources and fraud education on our website.

Call our member service center at 800.991.2221, and we can provide support.

 

Federally insured by NCUA