Posted:
Updated:SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4 News) – Love can be a beautiful thing and scammers know this so they are on the prowl to break your heart and your wallets.
Officials with Utah Public Safety are asking the public to beware of the dangers of romance scams. They say knowing some of the common signs of romance scams can help protect both your heart and your wallet.
Millions of people are turning to online dating apps or social networking sites to meet someone, but instead of finding romance, the Federal Trade Commission says many find a scammer trying to trick them into sending money.
The FTC says people reported losing $201 million to romance scams in 2019. They added that people reported losing more money to romance scams in the past two years than to any other fraud reported.
Romance Scammers are said to create fake profiles on dating sites and apps or contact their targets through popular social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, or Google Hangouts.
The scammers reportedly strike up a relationship with their targets to build their trust, sometimes talking or chatting several times a day. They then make up a story and ask for money.
Here are some for the lies the scammer tells according to the FTC:
2. Scammers ask their targets for money to:
3. Scammers ask people to pay through specific means:
The FTC emphasizes “never send money or gifts to a sweetheart you haven’t met in person.”
If you suspect a romance scam here are a few tips on how to protect yourself:
If you think it’s a scam, report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. Notify the website or app where you met the scammer, too.
If you paid a romance scammer with a gift card, contact the company that issued the card right away. Tell them you paid a scammer with the gift card and ask if they can refund your money.
Click here to learn more about romance scams.
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