I almost fell for a scam the other night! I got a text message that seemed normal at the surface saying I owed money for a ticket.
I haven’t gotten a ticket but I thought maybe it got lost in the mail or I missed it? I deleted the text and thought if it was real, someone would contact me again.
The next day, I read that a scam was targeting Minnesota residents and the text I got was part of that! Thank goodness I didn’t click on anything.
Now, there’s another type of scam circulating in Wisconsin and so many people have fallen for them, a local sheriff’s office is speaking out about it. Sigh.
Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office Warns Of Romance Scam
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office took to social media this month to warn locals about a scam that often goes under the radar: romance scams. This type of online scam is one of the most ‘frequent’ types of scams reported to the sheriff’s office.
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The Winnebago County, Wisconsin Sheriff’s Office also shared screenshots so you can see exactly how these scammers prey on people and avoid becoming a victim yourself.
How This Romance Scam Works In Wisconsin
The scam begins with the scammer reaching out to someone on social media, usually Facebook or Instagram. From there, the scammer suggests chatting on a private messaging app where texts can’t be so easily traced.
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From there, scammers form a fast-paced relationship with the victim, love bombing them in a way so that they fall in love quickly. Scammers often say they have a job far away so they can avoid meeting in person, and tell the victim to keep the romance secret for now because ‘people wouldn’t understand’ the love story between them.
How Do People Fall For Scams Like This?
Thanks to technology today, scammers are able to utilize AI and fake social media pictures to appear real. As always, be wary of anyone you meet online and NEVER give money to someone else you’ve never met.
20 Common Scams To Look Out For In Minnesota
Gallery Credit: Lauren Wells
Tips to Avoid Being Victimized By Scams
When the Black Friday deals show up, so do the scammers! To protect yourself, the FBI shared the following tips.
Gallery Credit: Jessica On The Radio
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